The midnight queen

MRS JAY MATTl(Jl3^o-

Library
of the
University of Toronto

i

i

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN

BY

Mrs. may AGNES FLEMING

AUTHOR OF "THE DARK SECRET," "THE QUEEN OF THE ISLE," "THE
HEIRESS OF CASTLE CLIFF," *' MAGDALEN'S VOW," "THE
GYPSY queen's vow," "THE RIVAL BROTHERS," ETC.

NEW YORK
THE FEDERAL BOOK COMPANY

PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1876,
By BEADLE Sc ADAMS.

The Midnight Queen.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

I. The Sorceress 5

II. The Dead Bride 20

III. The Court Page 32

IV. The Stranger 40

V. The Dwarf and the Ruin 50

VI. La Masque 58

VII. The Earl's Barge 70

VIII. The Midnight Queen ; 80

IX. Leoline 89

X. The Page, The Fires and the Fall 105

XI. The Execution 115

XII. The Doom 125

XIII. Escaped 137

XIV. In the Dungeon .' 142

XV. Decline's Visitors 157

XVI. The Third Vision 166

XVII. The Hidden Face 179

XVIII. The Interview 190

XIX. Hubert's Whisper , . . 202

XX. At the Plague-Pit 213

XXI. What was Behind the Mask 227

XXII. Day-Dawn 238

XXIII. Finis 249

iii

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER I.

THE SORCERESS.

The plague raged in the city of London. The destroy-
ing angel had gone forth, and kindled with its fiery
breath the awful pestilence, until all London became one
mighty lazar-house. Thousands were swept away daily
grass grew in the streets, and the living were scarce able
to bury the dead. Business of all kinds was at an end,
except that of the coffin-makers and drivers of the pest-
carts. Whole streets were shut up, and almost every
other house in the city bore the fatal red cross, and the
ominous inscription : " Lord have mercy on us." Few
people save the watchmen, armed with halberts, keeping
guard over the stricken houses, appeared in the streets ;
and those who ventured there, shrunk from each other,
and passed rapidly on with averted faces. Many even
fell dead on the sidewalk, and lay with their ghastly,
discolored faces upturned to the mocking sunlight, until
the dead cart came rattling along, and the drivers hoisted
the body with their pitchforks on the top of their dreads
ful load. Few other vehicles besides those same dead-
carts appeared in the city now; and they plied their
trade busily, day and night ; and the cry of the drivers^
echoed dismally through the deserted streets : " Bring out
your dead ! bring out your dead ! " All who could do so
had long ago fled from the devoted city ; and London lay
under the burning heat of the June sunshine, stricken for
its sins by the hand of God. The pest-houses were full,
so were the plague- pits, where the dead were hurled in
cartfuls ; and no one knew who rose up in health in the

6

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

morning but that they might be lying stark and dead in
a few hours. The very churches were forsaken ; their
pastors fled or lying in the plague-pits ; and it was even
resolved to convert the great cathedral of St. Paul into a
vast plague-hospital. Cries and lamentations echoed from
one end of the city to the other, and Death and Charles
reigned over London together.

Yet, in the midst of all this, many scenes of wild orgies
and debauchery still went on within its gates — as, in our
own day, when the cholera ravaged Paris, the inhabitants
of that facetious city made it a carnival, so now, in Lon-
don, there were many who, feeling they had but a few
days to live at the most, resolved to defy death, and in-
dulge in the revelry while they yet existed. " Eat, drink,
and be merry, for to-morrow you die ! " was their motto ;
and if in the midst of the frantic dance or debauched revel
one of them dropped dead, the others only shrieked with
laughter, hurled the livid body out to the street, and the
demoniac mirth grew twice as fast and furious as before.
Robbers and cut-purses paraded the streets at noonday,
entered boldly closed and deserted houses, and bore off,
with impunity, whatever they pleased. Highwaymen in-
fested Hounslow Heath, and all the roads leading from
the city, levying a toll on all who passed, and plundering
fearlessly the flying citizens. In fact, far-famed London
town, in the year of grace 1665, would have given one a
good idea of^Pandemonium broke loose.

It was drawing to the close of an almost tropical June
day, that the crowd who had thronged the precincts of
St. Paul's since early morning, began to disperse. Tlie
sun, that had throbbed the live-long day like a great
heart of fire in a sea of brass, was sinking from sight in
clouds of crimson, purple and gold, yet Paul's walk was
crowded. There Avere court-gallants in ruffles and
plumes; ballad-singers chanting the not-over delicate
ditties of the Earl of Rochester; usurers exchanging gold
for bonds worth tliree times Avhat tli(\y gave for them ;
quack-doctors reading in dolorous tones the bills of mor-
tality of the pre(j(Hliiig day, and selling plague-waters and
anti-pestilential abominations, whose merit they loudly
extolled ; ladies, too, richly dressed, and many of them

THE SORCERESS..

7

masked ; and booksellers who always made St. Paul's a
favorite haunt, and even to this day patronize its precincts,
and flourish in the regions of Paternoster Row and Ave
Maria Lane ; court pages in rich liveries, pert and flippant ;
§erving-men out of place, and pickpockets with a keen
eye to business ; all clashed and jostled together, raising
a din to which the Plain of Shinar, with its confusion of
tongues and Babylonish workmen, were as nothing.

Moving serenely through this discordant sea of his
fellow- creatures came a young man booted and spurred,
whose rich doublet of cherry-colored velvet, edged and
spangled with gold, and jaunty hat set slightly on one
side of his head, with its long black plume and diamond
clasp, proclaimed him to be somebody. A profusion of
snowy shirt- frill rushed impetuously out of his doublet ;
a black- velvet cloak, lined with amber- satin, fell pictur-
esquely from his shoulders ; a sword with a jeweled hilt
clanked on the pavement as he walked. One hand was
covered with a gauntlet of canary-colored kid, perfumed
to a degree that would shame any belle of to-day ; the
other, which rested lightly on his sword-hilt, flashed with
a splendid opal, splendidly set. He was a handsome
fellow too, with fair, waving hair (for he had the good
taste to discard the ugly wigs then in vogue), dark, bright,
handsome eyes, a thick blonde mustache, a tall and re-
markably graceful figure, and an expression of counte-
nance wherein easy good-nature and fiery impetuosity
had a hard struggle for mastery. That he was a courtier
of rank, was apparent from his rich attire and rather
aristocratic bearing, and a crowd of hangers-on followed
him as he went, loudly demanding spur-money. A group
of timbrel girls, singing shrilly the songs of the day,
call boldly to him as he passed ; and one of them, more
free and easy than the rest, danced up to him, striking
her timbrel, and shouting rather than singing the chorus
of the then popular ditty :

" What care I for pest or plague ?
We can die but once, God wot,
Kiss me, darling — stay with me ;
Love me — love me, leave me not I "

8

THE MIDNIGHT QUEElsr.

The darling in question turned his bright blue eyes on
that dashing street-singer with a cool glance of rec-
ognition.

" Yery sorry, Nell," he said, in a nonchalant tone, " but
I'm afraid I must. How long have you been here, may I
ask?"

" A full hour by St. Paul's ; and where has Sir Norman
Kingsley been, may 1 ask ? I thought you were dead of
the plague."

" Not exactly. Have you seen — ah ! there he is. The
very man I want."

With which Sir Norman Kingsley dropped a gold piece
into the girl's extended palm, and pushed on through the
crowd up Paul's Walk. A tall, and dark figure was lean-
ing moodily with folded arms, looking fixedly at the
ground, and taking no notice of the busy scene around
him, until Sir Norman laid his ungloved and jeweled
hand lightly on his shoulder.

" Good- morning, Ormiston! I had an idea I would
find you here, and— but what's the matter with you, man ?
Have you got the plague? or has your mysterious in-
amorata jilted you or what other annoyance has happened
to make you look as woebegone as old King Lear,
sent adrift by his tender daughters to take care of him-
self ? "

The individual addressed lifted his head, disclosing a
dark and rather handsome face, settled now into a look of
gloomy discontent. He slightly raised his hat as he saw
who his questioner was.

" Ah ! it's you. Sir Norman I I had given up all notion
of your coming, and was about to quit this confounded
babel — this tumultuous den of thieves. What has de-
tained you ? "

" I was on duty at Whitehall. Are Ave not in time to
keep our appointment ? "

" Oh, certainly. La Mascpie is at home to visitors at all
lionrs, day and niglit. I believe in my soul she doesn't
know what sleep means."

" And you jire still as mu(;h in love with her as ever, I
dare swear ! I have no doubt, now, it was of her you
were thinking when T came up. Nothing else could ever

THE SORCERESS.

9

have made you look so dismally woebegone as you did
when Providence sent me to your relief."

" I was thinking of her," said the young man, moodily,
and with a darkening brow.

Sir Norman favored him with a half-amused, half-con-
temptuous stare for a moment ; then stopped at a huck-
ster's stall to purchase some cigarettes ; lit one, and, after
fimoking for a few minutes, pleasantly remarked, as if the
fact had just struck him :

" Ormiston, you're a fool ! "

" I know it ! " said Ormiston, sententiously.

" The idea," said Norman, knocking the ashes daintily
off the end of his cigar with the tip of his little finger — ■
" the idea of falling in love with a woman whose face you
have never seen ! I can understand a man's going to any
absurd extreme when he falls in love in proper Christian
fashion, with a proper Christian face ; but to go stark,
staring mad, as you have done, my dear fellow, about a
black loo mask, why — I consider that a little too much of
a good thing ! Come, let u.s go."

Nodding easily to his numerous acquaintances as he
went, Sir Norman Kingsley sauntered leisurely down
Paul's Walk, and out through the great door of the
cathedral, followed by his melancholy friend. Pausing
for a moment to gaze at the gorgeous sunset with a look
of languid admiration, Sir Norman passed his arm through
that of his friend, and they walked on at rather a rapid
pace, in the direction of old London Bridge. There were
few people abroad except the watchmen walking slowly
up and down before the plague-stricken houses ; but in
every street they passed through they noticed huge piles
of wood and coal heaped down the center. Smoking
zealously, they had walked on for a season in silence,
when Ormiston ceased puffing for a moment, to inquire :

" What are all these for ? This is a strange time, I
should imagine, for bonfires."

"They're not bonfires," said Sir Norman; "at least,
they are not intended for that ; and if your head was not
fuller of that masked Witch of Endor than common sense
(for I believe she is nothing better than a witch), you
could not have helped knowing. The Lord Mayor of

10

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

London has been inspired, suddenly, with a notion, that
if several thousand fires are kindled at once in the streets,
it will purify the air, and check the pestilence ; so when
St. Paul's tolls the hour of midnight, all these piles are
to be j&red. It will be a glorious illumination, no doubt ;
but as to its stopping the progress of the plague, I am
afraid that it is altogether too good to be true."

" Why should you doubt it. The plague cannot last
forever."

"No. But Lilly, the astrologer, who predicted its
coming, also foretold that it would last for many months
yet ; and since one prophecy has come true, I see no
reason why the other should not."

" Except the simple one that there would be nobody
left alive to take it. All London will be lying in the
plague-pits by that time."

" A pleasant prospect ; but a true one, I have no doubt.
And, as I have no ambition to be hurled headlong into
one of those horrible holes, I shall leave town altogether
in a few days. And, Ormiston, I would strongly recom-
mend you to follow my example."

" Not I ! " said Ormiston, in a tone of gloomy resolu-
tion. " While La Masque stays, so will 1."

" And perhaps die of the plague in a week."

" So be it ! I don't fear the plague half as much as I
do the thought of losing her ! "

Again Sir Norman stared.

" Oh, I see ! It's a hopeless case ! Faith, I begin to
feel curious to see this enchantress, who has managed so
effectually to turn your brain. When did you see her
last?"

" Yesterday," said Ormiston, with a deep sigh. " And
if she were made of granite, she could not be harder tc^
me than she is ! "

" So she doesn't care about you, then ? "

" Not she ! She has a little Blenheim lap-dog, that
she loves a thousand times more than she ever will
me ! "

"Then what an idiot you are, to keep haunting her
like her shadow I Why don't you be a man and tear out
from your heart sucli a goddess I "

THE SORCERESS.

11

« Ah ! that's easily said ; but if you were in my place,
you'd act exactly as I do."

" I don't believe it. It's not in me to go mad about
anything with a masked face and marble heart. If I
loved any woman — which, thank Fortune, at this present
time I do not — and she had the bad taste not to return it,
I should take m.y hat, make her a bow, and go directly
and love somebody else made of flesh and blood, instead
of cast-iron ! You know the old song, Ormiston :

" If she be not fair for me
What care I how fair she be ! ' "

" Kingsley, you know nothing about it ! " said Ormiston,
impatiently. " So stop talking nonsense. If you are cold-
blooded, I am not ; and — I love her ! "

Sir Norman slightly shrugged his shoulders, and flung
his smoked-out weed into a heap of firewood.

" Are we near her house ? " he asked. " Yonder is the
bridge."

" Ormiston, you're a fool ! "

" I know it ! " said Ormiston, sententiously.

" The idea," said Sir ISTorman, knocking the ashes dainti-
ly off the end of his cigar with the tip of his little finger
— " the idea of falling in love with a woman Avhose face you
have never seen ! I can understand a man's going to any
absurd extreme when he falls in love in proper Christian
fashion, with a proper Christian face ; but to go stark,
staring mad, as you have done, my dear fellow, about a
black loo mask, why — I consider that a little too much of
a good thing ! Come, let us go."

Nodding easily to his numerous acquaintances as he
went. Sir ISTorman Kingsley sauntered leisurely down
Paul's Walk, and out through the great door of the cathe-
dral, followed by his melancholy friend. Pausing for a
moment to gaze at the gorgeous sunset with a look of
languid admiration, Sir Norman passed his arm through
that of his friend, and they walked on at rather a rapid
pace, in the direction of old London Bridge. There were
few people abroad except the watchmen walking slowly up
and down before the plague-stricken houses ; but in every
street they passed through they noticed huge piles of

12

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

wood and coal heaped down the center. Smoking zeal-
ously, they had walked on for a season in silence, when
Ormiston ceased puffing for a moment, to inquire :

" What are all these for ? This is a strange time, I
should imagine, for bonfires."

" They're not bonfires," said Sir Norman ; " at least,
they are not intended for that ; and if your head was not
fuller of that masked Witch of Endor than common sense
(for I believe she is nothing better than a witch), you could
not have helped knowing. The Lord Mayor of London
has been inspired, suddenly, with a notion, that if several
thousand fires are kindled at once in the streets, it will
purify the air, and check the pestilence ; so when St. Paul's
tolls the hour of midnight, all these piles are to be fired.
It will be a glorious illumination, no doubt ; but as to its
stopping the progress of the plague, I am afraid that it is
altogether too good to be true."

" Why should you doubt it ? The plague cannot last
forever."

" No. But Lilly, the astrologer, who predicted its com-
ing, also foretold that it would last for many months yet ;
and since one prophecy has come true, I see no reason why
the other should not."

" Except the simple one that there would be nobody
left alive to take it. All London will be lying in the
plague-pits by that time."

" A pleasant prospect ; but a true one, I have no doubt.
And, as I have no ambition to be hurled headlong into one
of those horrible holes, I shall leave town altogether in a
few days. And, Ormiston, I would strongly recommend
you to follow my example."

" Not 1 1 " said Ormiston, in a tone of gloomy resolution.
" While La Masque stays, so will I."

" And perhaps die of the plague in a week."

" So be it! I don't fear the plague half as much as I
do tlie thought of losing her ! "

Again Sir Noriruui stared.-

" Oil, T s(H5 ! It's a hopeless case ! Faith, I began to
feel (Uirious to s(;e this enchantress, who has managed so
effectually to turn your brain. When did you see her
last?"

THE SORCERESS.

13

" Yesterday," said Ormiston, with a deep sigh. " And
if she were made of granite, she could not be harder to
me than she is ! "

" So she doesn't care about you, then ? "

" Not she ! She has a little Blenheim lap-dog, that she
loves a thousand times more than she ever will me ! "

" Then what an idiot you are, to keep haunting her like
her shadow ! Why don't you be a man, and tear out from
your heart such a goddess ? "

" Ah ! that's easily said ; but if you were in my place,
you'd act exactly as I do."

" I don't believe it. It's not in me to go mad about any-
thing with a masked face and a marble heart. If I loved
any woman — which, thank Fortune, at this present time
I do not— and she had the bad taste not to return it, I
should take my hat, make her a bow, and go directly and
love somebody else made of flesh and blood, instead of
cast-iron ! You know the old song, Ormiston :

* If she be not fair for me
What care I how fair she be ! ' "

« Kingsley, you know nothing about it ! " said Ormis-
ton, impatiently. " So stop talking nonsense. If you are
cold-blooded, I am not ; and — I love her I "

Sir Norman slightly shrugged his shoulders, and flung
his smoked-out weed into a heap of firewood.

" Are we near her house ? " he asked. " Yonder is the
bridge,"

"And yonder is the house," replied Ormiston, pointing
to a large, ancient building — ancient even for those times
— with three stories, each projecting over the other.
" See ! while the houses on either side are marked as pest-
stricken, hers alone bears no cross. So it is : those who
cling to life are stricken with death ; and those who, like
me, are desperate, even death shuns."

"Why, my dear Ormiston, you surely are not so far
gone as that ! Upon my honor, I had no idea you were
in such a bad way."

" I am nothing but a miserable wretch ! and I wish to
Heaven I was in yonder dead- cart, with the rest of them
—and she, too, if she never intends to love me ! "

14

THE MIDlSriGHT QUEEN.

Ormiston spoke with such fierce earnestness, that there
was no doubting his sincerity ; and Sir Norman became
profoundly shocked — so much so, that he did not speak
again until they were almost at the door. Then he opened
his lips to ask, in a subdued tone :

" She has predicted the future for you — what did she
foreteU?"

" Nothing good ; no fear of there being anything in store
for such an unlucky dog as I am."

"Where did she learn this wonderful black art of
hers ? "

" In the East, I believe. She has been there and all
over the world, and now visits England for the first
time."

" She has chosen a sprightly season for the visit. Is
she not afraid of the plague, I wonder ? "

" No ; she fears nothing," said Ormiston, as he knocked
loudly at the door. " I begin to believe she is made of
adamant instead of what other woman are made of."

"Which is a rib, I believe," observed Sir Norman,
thoughtfully. " And that accounts, I dare say, for their
being of such a crooked and cantankerous nature. They're
a wonderful race, women are ; and for what inscrutable
reason it has pleased Providence to create them — "

The opening of the door brought to a sudden end this
little touch of moralizing, and a wrinkled old porter
thrust out very withered and unlovely face.

" Is La Masque at home ? " inquired Ormiston, stepping
in, without ceremony.

The old man nodded, and pointed up-stairs ; and witli
a " This way, Kingsley," Ormiston sprung lightly up,
three at a time followed in the same style by Sir Nor-
man.

" You seem pretty well acquainted with the latitude of
this place," observed that young gentleman, as they passed
into a room at the head of the stairs.

" I ought to be ; I've been here often enough," said Or-
miston. " This is the common waiting-room for all wlio
wish to consult La Masque. The old ])ag of bones who let
us in has gone to announce us."

Sir Norman took a seat, and glanced curiously round

THE SORCERESS.

15

the room. It was a commonplace apartment enough, with
a floor of polished black oak, slippery as ice, and shining
like glass ; a few old Flemish paintings on the walls ; a
large, round table in the center of the floor, on which lay
a pair of the old musical instruments called " virginals."
Two large, curtainless windows, with minute diamond-
shaped panes, set in leaden casements, admitted the golden
and crimson light.

" For the reception-room of a sorceress," remarked Sir
Norman, with an air of disappointed criticism, " there is
nothing very wonderful about all this. How is it she
spaes fortunes, anyway. As Lilly does by maps and charts
or as these old Eastern mufti do it by magic mirrors and
all such fooleries ? " .

" Neither," said Ormiston ; " her style is more like that
of the Indian almechs, who show you your destiny in a
well. She has a sort of magic lake in her room, and — but
fovL will see it all for yourself presently."

" I have always heard," said Sir Norman, in the same
meditative way, "that truth lies at the bottom of a well,
and I am glad some one has turned up at last who is able
to find it out. Ah ! Here comes our ancient Mercury to
show us to the presence of your goddess."

The door opened, and the " old bag of bones," as Ormis-
ton irreverently styled his lady-love's ancient domestic
made a sign for them to follow him. Leading the way
down a long corridor, he flung open a pair of shining fold-
ing-doors at the end, and ushered them at once into the
majestic presence of the sorceress and her magic room.
Both gentlemen doffed their plumed hats. Ormiston
stepped forward at once ; Sir Norman discreetly paused
in the doorway to contemplate the scene of action. As
he slowly did so, a look of deep displeasure settled on his
fea^tures, on finding it not half so awful as he had sup-
posed.

In some ways it was very like the room they had left
being low, large and square, and having floors, walls and
ceiling paneled with glossy black oak. But it had no
windows — a large bronze lamp, suspended from the center
of the ceiling, shed a flickering, ghostly light. There
were no paintings — some grim carvings of skulls, skele-

16

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

tons, and serpents, pleasantly wreathed the room-
neither were there seats nor tables — nothing but a
huge ebony caldron at the upper end of the apart-
ment, over which a grinning skeleton on wires, with a
scythe in one hand of bone, and an hour-glass in the other,
kept watch and ward. Opposite this cheerful-looking
guardian was a tall figure in black, standing as motionless
as if it, too, was carved in ebony. It was a female figure,
very tall and slight, but as beautifully symmetrical as a
Yenus Celestis. Her dress was of black velvet, that
swept the polished floor, spangled all over with stars of
gold and rich rubies. A profusion of shining black hair
fell in waves and curls almost to her feet ; but her face,
from forehead to chin, was completely hidden by a black
velvet mask. In one hand, exquisitely small and white,
she held a gold casket, blazing (like her dress) with rubies
and with the other she toyed with a tame viper, that had
twined itself round her wrist. This was doubtless La
Masque, and becoming conscious of that fact, Sir Norman
made her a low and courtly bow. She returned it by a
slight bend of the head, and turning toward his companion,
spoke :

" You here again, Mr. Ormiston ! To what am I in-
debted for the honor of two visits in two days ? "

Her voice, Sir Norman thought, was the sweetest he
had ever heard, musical as a chime of silver bells, soft as
the tones of an ^olian harp through which the west wind
plays.

"Madam, I am aware my visits are undesired," said
Ormiston, with a flushing check and slightly tremulous
voice ; " but I have merely come with my friend. Sir Nor-
man Kingsley, who wishes to know what the future has
in store for him."

Thus invoked, Sh- Norman Kingsley stepped forward,
with anotlier low bow, to the masked lady.

"Yes, madam, I have long heard that those fair fingers
can withdraw the curtain of tlie future, and I have come
to see what Dame Destiny is going to do for me."

"Sir Norman Kingsley is welcome," said the sweet
voice, " and shall see what he desires. There is but one
condition, tliat he will keep perfectly silent ; for if lie

THE SORCERESS.

IT

speaks, the scene he beholds will vanish. Come for-
ward ! "

Sir Norman compressed his lips as closely as if they
were forever hermetically sealed, and came forward ac-
cordingly. Leaning over the edge of the ebony caldron,
he found that it contained nothing more dreadful than
water, for he labored under a vague and unpleasant idea
that, like the witches' caldron in Macbeth, it might be
filled with serpents' blood and children's brains. La
Masque opened her golden casket, and took from it a por-
tion of red powder, with which it was filled. Casting it into
the caldron, she murmured an invocation in Sanscrit, or
Coptic, or some other unknown tongue, and slowly there
arose a dense cloud of dark-red smoke, that nearly filled
the room. Had Sir Norman ever read the storj^ of Alad-
din, he would probably have thought of it then ; but the
young courtier did not greatly affect literature of any
kind, and thought of nothing now but of seeing something
when the smoke cleared away. It was rather long in do-
ing so, and when it did, he saw nothing at last but his
own handsome, half-serious, half-incredulous face ; but
gradually a picture, disthict and clear, formed itself at
the bottom, and Sir Norman gazed with bewildered eyes.
He saw a large room filled with a sparkling crowd, many
of them ladies, splendidly arrayed and flashing in jewels,
and foremost among them stood one whose beauty sur-
passed anything he.had ever before dreamed of. She wore
the robes of a queen, purple and ermine — diamonds blazed
on the beautiful neck, arms and fingers, and a tiara of the
same brilliants crowned her reg^l head. In one hand she
held a scepter ; what seemed to be a throne was behind
her, but something that surprised Sir Norman most of all
was, to find himself standing beside her, the cynosure of
all eyes. While he yet gazed in mingled astonishment and
incredulity, the scene faded away, and another took its
place. This time a dungeon-cell, damp and dismal ; walls,
and floor, and ceiling covered with green and hideous slime.
A small lamp stood on the floor, and by its sickly, watery
gleam he saw himself again standing, pale and dejected,
near the wall. But he was not alone ; the same glittering
vision in purple and diamonds stood before him, and sud-

18

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

denly he drew his sword and plunged it up to the hilt in
her heart ! The beautiful vision fell like a stone at his
feet, and the sword was drawn ont reeking with her life-
blood. This was a little too much for the real Sir Norman,
and with an expression of indignant consternation, he
sprung upright. Instantly it all faded away, and the
reflection of his own excited face looked up at him from
the caldron.

" I told you not to speak," said La Masque quietly ; " but
you must look on still another scene.

Again she threw a portion of the contents of the casket
into the caldron, and " spake aloud the words of power."
Another cloud of smoke arose and filled the room, and
when it cleared away, Sir Norman beheld a third and less
startling sight. The scene and place he could not dis-
cover, but it seemed to him like night and a storm. Two
men were lying on the ground, and bound fast together,
it appeared to him. As he looked it faded away, and once
more his own face seemed to mock him in the clear water.

" Do you know those two last figures ? asked the lady.

" I do," said Sir Norman, promptly ; " it was Ormiston
and myself."

" Right ! and one of them was dead."

" Dead ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, with a perceptible
start. " Which one, madam."

" If you cannot tell that, neither can I. If there is any-
thing further you wish to see, I am quite willing to show
it to you."

" I'm obliged to you," said Sir Norman, stepping back ;
" but no more at present, thank you. Do you mean to
say, madam, that I'm some day to murder a lady, especial-
ly one so beautiful as she I just now saw ? "

" I have said nothing — all you've seen will come to pass,
and whether your destiny be for good or evil, I have
nothing to do with it, except," said the sweet voice, earnest-
ly, " that if La Masque could strew Sir Norman Kingsley's
pathway witli roses, she would most assuredly do so."

" Madam, you ani too kind," said that young gentleman,
laying his liand on his heart, while Ormiston scowled
darkly — " more especially as I've the misfortune to be a
perfect stranger to you."

THE SORCERESS.

19

" N'ot so, Sir Norman. I have known you this many a
day ; and before long we shall be better acquainted. Per-
mit me to wish you good-evening."

At this gentle hint, both gentlemen bowed themselves
out, and soon found themselves out in the street, with
very different expressions of countenance — Sir Norman
looking considerably pleased and decidedly puzzled, and
Mr. Ormiston looking savagely and uncompromisingly
jealous. The animated skeleton who had admitted them
closed the door after them ; and the two friends stood in
the twilight on London Bridge.

20 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER II.

THE DEAD BKIDE.

Well," said Ormiston, drawing a long breath, " what
do you think of that ? "

« Think ? Don't ask me yet," said Sir Norman, look-
ing rather bewildered. " I'm in such a state of mystifica-
tion that I don't rightly know whether I'm standing on
my head or feet. For one thing, I have come to the con-
clusion that your masked lady-love must be enchantingly
beautiful."

" Have I not told you that a thousand times, oh, thou
of little faith ? But why have you come to such a con-
clusion ? "

" Because no woman with such a figure, such a voice,
and such hands could be otherwise."

" I knew you would own it some day. Do you wonder
now that I love her ? "

" Oh ! as to loving her," said Sir Norman, coolly, " that's
quite another thing. I could no more love her for her
hands, voice and shape, than I could a figure in Avood or
wax ; but I admire her vastly, and think her extremely
clever. I will never forgot that face in the caldron. It
was the most exquisitely-beautiful T ever saw."

" In love with the shadow of a face ? Why, you are a
thousandfold more absurd than I."

" No," said Sir Norman, thoughtfully. " T don't know
as I'm in love with it ; but if ev(U' I see a living face like
it, I certainly shall be. How- did I.a Masque do it, I won-
der ? "

" You liad better ask lior," said Ormiston, bitterly.
"Slio seems to liave tak(Mi an unusual inton^st in you at
first sigbt. Sh(i would strew your path with roses, for-

THE DEAD BRIDE.

21

800th ! Nothing earthly, I believe, would make her say
anything half so tender to rae."

Sir Norman laughed, and stroked his mustache compla-
cently.

"All a matter of taste, my dear fellow; and these wo-
men are noted for their perfection in that line. I begin
to admire La Masque more and more, and I think you had
better give up the chase, and let me take your place. I
don't believe you have the ghost of a chance, Or-
miston."

" I don't believe it myself," said Ormiston, with a des-
perate face ; " but until the plague carries me off, I can-
not give her up ; and the sooner that happens the better.
Ha! what is this?"

It was a piercing shriek — no unusual sound ; and, as he
spoke, the door of an adjoining house was flung open, a
Avoman rushed wildly out, fled down an adjoining street,
and disappeared.

Sir Norman and his companion looked at each other,
and then at the house.

" What's all this about ? " demanded Ormiston.

" That's a question I can't take it upon myself to an-
swer," said Sir Norman ; " and the only way to solve the
mystery is to go in and see."

" It may be the plague," said Ormiston, hesitating,
*' Yet the house is not marked. There is a watchman. I
will ask him." . \

The man with the halberd in his hand was walking up
and down before an adjoining house, bearing the ominous
red cross and piteous inscription : " Lord have mercy on
us !"

" I don't know, sir," was his answer to Ormiston. " If
any one there has the plague, they must have taken it
lately ; for I heard this morning there was to be a wedding
there to-night."

" I never heard of any one screaming in that fashion
about a wedding," said Ormiston, doubtfully. " Do you
know who lives there ? "

" No, sir. I only came here, myself, yesterday, but two
or three times to-day I have seen a very beautiful young
lady looking out of the window."

22

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

Ormiston thanked the man, and went back to report
to his friend.

"A beautiful young lady ! " said Sir Norman, with
energy. " Then I mean to go directly up and see about
it, and you can follow or not, just as you please."

So saying, Sir Norman entered the open doorway, and
found himself in a long hall, flanked by a couple of doors
on each side. These he opened in rapid succession, find-
ing nothing but silence and solitude ; and Ormiston — who,
upon reflection, chose to follow — ran up a wide and sweep-
ing staircase at the end of the hall. Sir Norman followed
him, and they came to a hall similar to the one below. A
door to the right lay open ; and both entered without
ceremony, and looked around.

The room was spacious, and richly furnished. Just
enough light stole through the oriel window at the further
end, draped with crimson satin, embroidered with gold, to
show it. The floor was of stained wood of many colors, ar-
ranged in fanciful mosaics, and strewn with Turkish rugs
and Persian mats of gorgeous colors. The walls were
carved, the ceiling corniced, and all fretted with gold net-
work and gilded moldings. On a couch covered with
crimson satin, like the window drapery, laj^ a cithern and
some loose sheets of music. Near it was a small marble
table, covered with books and drawings, with a decanter
of wine and an exquisite little goblet of Bohemian glass.
The marble mantel was strewn with ornaments of porce-
lain and alabaster, and a beautifully carved vase of
Parian marble stood in the center, filled with brilliant
flowers. A great mirror reflected back the room, and be-
neath it stood a toilet table, strewn with jewels, laces, per-
fume-bottles, and an array of costly little feminine trifles
such as ladies were as fond of two centuries ago as they
are to-day. Evidently it was a lady's chamber ; for in a
recess near the window stood a great quaint-carved bed-
stead witli curtains and snowy lace, looped back with
golden arrows and scarlet ribbons. Some one lay on it,
too — at least, Ormiston thought so ; and he went cau-
tiously forward, drew the curtain and looked down.

" Great Heaven 1 what a beautiful face I " was his cry,
as he bent still further down.

THE DEAD BRIDE.

23

" What the plague is the matter ? " asked Sir Norman,
coming forward.

" You have said it," said Ormiston, recoiling. " The
plague is the matter. There lies one dead of it ! "

Curiosity proving stronger than fear, Sir Norman
stepped forward to look at the corpse. It was a young girl
with a face as lovely as a poet's vision. That face was
like snow, now ; and, in its calm, cold majesty, looked as
exquisitely perfect as some ancient Grecian statue. The
low, pearly brow, the sweet, beautiful lips, the delicate
oval outline of countenance, were perfect. The eyes were
closed, and the long dark lashes rested on the ivory cheeks.
A profusion of shining dark hair fell in elaborate curls
over her neck and shoulders. Her dress was that of a
bride ; a robe of white satin brocaded with silver, fairly
dazzling in its shining radiance, and as brief in the article
of sleeves and neck as that of any modern belle. A circlet
of pearls Avere clasped round the snow-white throat, and
bracelets of the same jewels encircled the snowy tajoer
arms. On her head, she wore a bridal wreath and vail —
the former of jewels, the latter falling round her like a
cloud of mist. Everything was perfect, from the wreath
and veil to the tiny sandaled feet ; and lying there in her
mute repose she looked more like some exquisite piece
of sculpture than anything that had ever lived and moved
in this groveling world of ours. But from one shoulder
the dress had been pulled down, and there lay a great
livid, purple plague-spot !

" Come away ! " said Ormiston, catching his companion
by the arm. " It is death to remain here ! "

Sir Norman had been standing like one in a trance, from
which this address roused him, and he grasped Ormiston's
shoulder almost frantically.

" Look there, Ormiston ! There lies the very face
that sorceress showed me, fifteen minutes ago, in her in-
fernal caldron ! I would know it at the other end of the
world !"

" Are you sure ? " said Ormiston, glancing again with
new curiosity at the marble face. " I never saw anything
half so beautiful in all my life; but you see she is dead of
the plague."

24 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Dead ? Oh, she cannot be ! Nothing so perfect could
die ! "

" Look there," said Ormiston, pointing to the plague-
spot! " There is the fatal token ! For Heaven's sake let
us go out of this, or we will share the same fate before
morning ! "

But Sir Norman did not move — could not move ; he
stood there rooted to the spot by the spell of that lovely,
lifeless face.

Usually the plague left its victims hideous, ghastly,
discolored, and covered with blotches; but in this case
there was nothing to mar the perfect beauty of the satin-
smooth skin, but that one dreadful mark.

There Sir Norman stood in his trance, as motionless as
if some genii out of the " Arabian Nights " had suddenly
turned him into stone (a trick they were much addicted
to), and destined him to remain there an ornamental fix-
ture forever. Ormiston looked at him distractedly, un-
certain whether to try moral suasion or to take him by
the collar and drag him headlong down the stairs, when
a providential but rather dismal circumstance came to
his relief. A cart came rattling along the street, a bell
was loudly rung, and a hoarse voice arose with it :

" Bring out your dead ! bring out your dead ! "

Ormiston rushed down-stairs to intercept the dead-
cart, already almost full, on its way to the plague-pit.
The driver stopped at his call, and instantly followed him
up- stairs, and into the room. Glancing at the body with
the utmost sang froid^ he touched the dress, and indiffer-
ently remarked :

" A bride, I should say, and an uncommonly handsome
one, too. We'll just take her along as she is, and strip
these nice things off the body when we get it to the plague-
pit."

So saying, he wrapped her in the sheet, and directing
Ormiston to take liold of the two lower ends, took the
upper corners hiiiis(!lf, with tlie air of a man quite used to
that sort of tiling. Ormiston recoiled from tou(!hing it,
and Sir Norman, seeing what they were about to do, and
knowing tlu^re was no help for it, made up his mind, like
a 8en8il)le young man as he was, to conceal his feelings,

THE DEAD BRIDE.

25

and caught hold of the sheet himself. In this fashion the
dead bride was carried down stairs, and laid upon a shut-
ter on the top of a pile of bodies in the dead- cart.

It was now almost dark, and as the cart started, the
great clock of St. Paul's struck eight. St. Michael's, St.
Alban's, and others took up the sound ; and the two young
men paused to listen. For many weeks the sky had been
clear, brilliant, and blue ; but on this night dark clouds
were scudding in wild unrest across it, and the air was
oppressingly close and sultry.

" Where are you going now ? " said Ormiston. " Are
you for Whitehall to-night ? "

" N"o," said Sir Norman, rather dejectedly, turning to
follow the pest-cart. " I am for the plague- pit in Fins-
bury fields ! "

" Nonsense, man ! " exclaimed Ormiston, energetically,
<'what will take you there? You surely are not m.ad
enough to fellow the body of that dead girl ? "

" I shall follow it. You can come or not, just as you
please."

" Oh ! if you are determined, I will go with you, of
course ; but it is the craziest freak I ever heard of. After
this, you need never laugh at me."

" I never will," said Sir Norman, moodily ; " for if you
love a face you have never seen, I love one I have only
looked on when dead. Does it not seem sacrilege to
throw any one so like an angel into that horrible plague-
pit."

" I never saw an angel," said Ormiston, as he and his
friend started to go after the dead- cart. " And I dare say
there have been scores as beautiful as that poor girl thrown
mto the plague-pit before now. I wonder why the house
has been deserted, and if she was really a bride. The
iDridegroom could not have loved her much, I fancy, or not
■even the pestilence could have scared him away."

" But, Ormiston, what an extraordinary thing it is, that
it should be precisely the same face that the fortune-
teller showed me ! There she was alive, and here she is
dead ; so I've lost all faith in La Masque forever. *

Ormiston looked doubtful.

" Are you quite sure it is the same, Kingsley ? "

26

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

« Quite sure ? " said Sir Norman, indignantly. " Of
course I am ! Do you think I could be mistaken in such
a case ? I tell you I would know the face in Kamschatka
or the North Pole ; for I don't believe there ever was
such another created."

" So be it, then ! Your object, of course, in following
that cart is to take a last look at her ? "

" Precisely so. Don't talk ; I feel in no mood for it just
at present."

Ormiston smiled to himself, and did not talk, accord-
ingly ; and in silence the two friends followed the gloomy
dead- cart. A faint young moon, pale and sickly, was
struggling dimly through drifts of dark clouds, and lighted
the lonesome, dreary streets with a wan, watery glimmer.
For weeks the weather had been brilliantly fine — the days
all sunshine, the nights all moonlight ; but now Ormiston,
looking up at the troubled face ofthe sky, concluded men-
tally that the Lord Mayor had selected an unpropitious
night for the grand illumination. Sir Norman, with his
eyes on the pest-cart and the long white figure therein^
took no heed of anything in the heaven above or earth
beneath, and strode along in dismal silence till they
reached, at last, their journey's end.

As the cart stopped, the two young men approached the
edge of the plague-pit, and looked in with a shudder.
Truly it was a horrible sight, that heaving, putrid sea of
corruption ; for the bodies of the miserable victims were
thrown in cartful s, and only covered with a handful of
earth and quicklime. Here and there, through the crack-
ing and sinking surface, could be seen protruding a fair
white arm, or a baby face mingled with the long, dark
tresses of maidens, the golden curls of children, and the
white hairs of old age. The pestilential eliluvia arising
from the dreadful mass was so overpowering that botli
shrunk l)ack, faint and sick, after a moment's survey. It
was indeed, as Sir Norman had said, a horrible grave
wlierein to lie.

Meantime the driver, with an eye to business, and no
time for su(;]i nonsense as melancholy moralizing, had laid
tlie l)o(ly of Uie young gii-1 on tlie groiuid, and briskly
turned his cart and dumped the remainder of his load into

THE DEAD BRIDE.

27

the pit. Then, having flung a few handfuls of clay over
it, he unwound the sheet, and kneeling beside the body,
prepared to remove the jewels. The rays of the moon
and his dark-lantern fell on the lovely, snow-white face
together, and Sir Norman groaned despairingly as he saw
its death-cold rigidity. The man had stripped the rings
off the fingers, the bracelets off the arms ; but as he was
about to perform the same operation towards the necklace,
he was stopped by a startling interruption enough. In
his haste, the clasp entered the beautiful neck, inflicting a
deep scratch from which the blood spouted ; and at the
same instant the dead girl opened her eyes, with a shrill
cry. Uttering a yell of terror, as well he might, the man
sprung back and gazed at her with horror, believing that
his sacrilegious robbery had brought the dead to life.
Even the two young men — albeit neither of them given to
nervousness or cowardice — recoiled for an instant and
stared aghast. Then, as the whole truth struck them,
that the girl had been in a deep swoon and not dead, both
simultaneously darted forward, and, forgetting all fear of
infection, knelt by her side. A pair of great lustrous black
were staring wildly around, and fixed themselves first on
one face and then on the other.

" Where am I ? " she exclaimed, with a terrified look,
as she strove to raise herself on her elbow, and fell in-
stantaneously back with a cry of agony, as she felt for the
first time the throbbing anguish of the wound.

" You are with friends, dear lady ! " said Sir Xorman,
in a voice quite tremulous between astonishment and
delight. " Fear nothing, for you shall be saved."

The great black eyes turned wildly upon him, while a
fierce spasm convulsed the beautiful face.

" Oh, my God, I remember ! I have the plague ! "
And, with a prolonged shriek of anguish, that thrilled
even to the hardened heart of the dead-cart driver, the
girl fell back senseless again.

Sir ^^orman Kingsley sprung to his feet, and with more
the air of a frantic lunatic than a responsible young Eng-
lish knight, caught the cold form in his arms, laid it in
the dead-cart, and was about springing into the driver's
seat, when that individual indignantly interposed.

28

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Come, now ; none of that ! If you were the king him-
self, you shouldn't run away with my cart in that fashion ;
so you just get out of my place as fast as you can ! "

" My dear Kingsley, what are you about to do ? " asked
Ormiston, catching his excited friend by the arm.

" Do ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, in a high key. " Can't
you see that for yourself ? And I'm going to have that
girl cured of the plague, if there is such a thing as a doctor
to be had for love or money, in London."

" You had better have her taken to the pest-house at
once, then; there are chirurgeons and nurses enough
there."

" To the pest-house ? Why, man, I might as well have
her thrown into the plague-pit there, at once ! Not I ! I
shall have her taken to my own house, and there properly
cared for, and this good fellow will drive her there in-
stantly."

Sir Norman backed this insinuation by putting a broad
gold- piece into the driver's hand, which instantly produced
a magical effect on his rather surly countenance.

" Certainly, sir," he began, springing into his seat
with alacrity. "Where shall I drive the young lady
to?"

" Follow me," said Sir Norman. " Come along, Ormis-
ton." And seizing his friend by the arm, he hurried him
along with a velocity rather uncomfortable, considering
they both w^ore cloaks, and the night was excessively sul-
try. The gloomy vehicle and its fainting burden followed
close behind.

" What do you mean to do with her ? " asked Ormiston,
as soon as he found breath enough to speak.

"Haven't T told you?" said Sir Norman, impatiently
"Take her liomc, of course."

" And after tlifit?"

" (io for a doctor."

"y\iHl after tlnit?"

" Tak(; (;are of li(;r till she gets well."

"And i\.n,v,Y tliiitV"

" Wiry, find out lier history and all about lier."
"And after that?"

" After that! y\fter that ! How do I know what after

THE DEAD BRIDE. ^ 29

that ? " exclaimed Sir Norman, rather fiercely, " Ormis-
ton, what do you mean ? "
Ormiston laughed.

" And after that you'll marry her, I suppose ? "
" Perhaps I may, if she will have me. And what if I
do ? "

" Oh, nothing ! Only it struck me you may be saving
another man's wife."

" That's true ! " said Sir Norman, in a subdued tone,
" and if such should unhappily be the case, nothing vv^ill
remain but to live in hopes that he may be carried off by
the plague."

" Pray Heaven that we may not be carried off by it our-
selves ! " said Ormiston, with a slight shudder. " I shall
dream of nothing but that horrible plague-pit for a week.
If it were not for La Masque, I would not stay another
hour in this pest-stricken city.'*

" Here we are," was Sir Norman's rather inapposite an-
swer, as they entered Piccadilly, and stopped before'a large
and handsome house, whose gloomy portal was faintly
illuminated by a large lamp. " Here, my man, just carry
the lady in."

He unlocked the door as he spoke, and led the way
across a long hall to a sleeping chamber, elegantly fitted
up. The man placed the body on the bed and departed,
while Sir Norman, seizing a hand-bell, rung a peal that
brought a staid-looking housekeeper to the scene directly.
Seeing a lady, young and beautiful, in bridal robes, lying
apparently dead on her young master's bed at that hour
of the night, the discreet matron, over whose virtuous head
fifty years and a snow-white cap had passed, started back
with a slight scream.

"Gracious me. Sir Norman! What on earth is the
meaning of this ? "

" My dear Mrs. Preston," began Sir Norman, blandly,
this young lady is ill of the plague, and — "
But all further explanation was cut short by a horrified
shriek from the old lady, and a precipitate rush from the
room. Down-stairs she flew informing the other servants
as she went, between her screams, and when Sir Norman,
in a violent rage, went in search of her five minutes after,

30

THE MIDlSriGHT QUEEN.

he found not only the kitchen, but the whole house de-
serted.

" Well ? " said Ormiston, as Sir Norman strode back,
looking fiery hot and savagely angry.

"Well, they have all fled, every man and woman of
them, the — " Sir Norman ground out something not quite
proper, behind his mustache. " I shall have to go for the
doctor myself. Doctor Forbes is a friend of mine, and
lives near ; and you," looking at him rather doubtfully,
" would you mind staying here, lest she should recover
consciousness before I return ? "

" To tell you the truth," said Ormiston, with charming
frankness, " I should ! The lady is extremely beautiful,
I must own ; but she looks uncomfortably corpse-like at
this present moment. I do not wish to die of the plague,
either, until I see La Masque once more ; and so, if it is all
the same to you, my dear friend, I will have the greatest
pleasure in stepping round with you to the doctor's."

Sir Norman, though he did not much approve of this,
could not very well object, and the two sallied forth
together. Walking a short distance up Piccadilly, they
struck off into a by street, and soon reached the house
they were in search of. Sir Norman knocked loudly at
the door, which was opened by the doctor himself. Briefly
and rapidly Sir Norman informed him how and where his
services were required ; and the doctor being always pro-
vided with everything necessary for such cases, set out
with him immediately. Fifteen minutes after leaving his
own house Sir Norman was back there again, and stand-
ing in his own chamber. But a simultaneous exclamation
of amazement and consternation broke from him and Or-
miston, as on entering the room they found the bed empty,
and the lady gone !

A dead pause followed, during which the three looked
blankly at the bed, and then at each other. The scene,
no doul)t, would have been ludicrous enough to a
third i)arty ; l>ut neither of our trio could see any-
thing whatever to laugh at. Ormiston was the first to
«peak.

" What in Heaven's name has happened ? " he wonder-
ingly exclaimed.

THE DEAD BRIDE.

81

" Some one has been here," said Sir Norman, turning
very pale, "and carried her off while we were gone."

" Let us search the house," said the doctor, " you
should have locked your door, Sir Norman ; but it may
not be too late yet."

Acting on the hint. Sir Norman seized the lamp burn-
ing on the table, and started on the search. His two
friends followed him, and,

The highest, the lowest, the loveliest spot,
They searched for the lady, and found her not."

No, though, there was not the slightest trace of robbers
or intruders neither was there the slightest trace of the
beautiful plague-patient. Everything in the house was
precisely as it always was, but the silver shining vision
was gone.

32

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER III.

THE COUET PAGE.

The search was given over at last in despair, and the
doctor took his hat and disappeared. Sir Norman and
Ormiston stopped in the lower hall and looked at each
other in mute amaze.

" What can it all mean ? " asked Ormiston, appealing
more to society at large than to his bewildered companion.

" I haven't the faintest idea," said Sir Norman, distract-
edly ; " only I am pretty certain, if I don't find her, I
shall do something so desperate that the plague will be a
trifle compared to it ! "

" It seems almost impossible that she can have been
carried off — doesn't it ? "

" If she has ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, " and I find out
the abductor, he won't have a whole bone in his body two
minutes after ! "

" And yet more impossible that she can have gone of
herself," pursued Ormiston, with the air of one entering-
upon an abstruse subject, and taking no heed whatever of
his companion's marginal notes.

" Gone of herself ! Is the man crazy ? " inquired Sir
Norman, with a stare. " Fifteen minutes before, we left
her dead, or in a dead swoon, which is all the same in
Greek, and yet he talks of her getting up and going off
Iierself I"

" In fact, the only way to get at the bottom of the mys-
iery," said Ormiston, " is to go in search of her. Sleeping,
\ suppose, is out of the question."

" Of course it is ! I shall never sleep again till I find
]ierl"

They passed out, and Sir Norman this time took the })ve-
caution of turning the key, thereby fulfilling the adag(M)f
locking tlio stal)lo door when the steed was stolen. Tht>

THE COURT PAGE.

83

night had grown darker and hotter ; and as they walked
along the clock of St. Paul's tolled nine.

" And now, where shall we go ? " inquired Sir Norman,
as they rapidly hurried on.

"I should recommend visiting the house where we
found her first ; if not there, then we can try the pest-
house."

Sir N^orman shuddered.

" Heaven forefend she should be there ! It is the most
mysterious thing ever I heard of ! "

" What do you think now of La Masque's prediction —
dare you doubt still ? "

" Ormiston, I don't know what to think. It is the samo
face I saw and yet — "

u Well— and yet ? "

" I can't tell you — I am fairly bewildered. If we don't
find the lady at her own house, I have half a mind to apply
to your friend, La Masque^ again."

"The wisest thing you could do, my dear fellow. If
any one knows your unfortunate beloved's whereabouts,
it is La Masque, depend upon it."

" That's settled, then ; and now, don't talk, for conver-
sation at this smart pace I don't admire."

Ormiston, like the amiable, obedient young man that he
was, instantly held his tongue, and they strode along at a
breathless pace. There was an unusual concourse of men
abroad that night, watching the gloomy face of the sky,
and waiting the hour of midnight to kindle the myriad of
fires ; and as the two tall, dark figures went rapidly by,
all supposed it to be a case of life or death. In the eyes
of one of the party, perhaps it was ; and neither halted till
they came once more in sight of the house, whence a short
time previously they had carried the death-cold bride. A
row of lamps over the door-portals shed a yellow, uncer-
tain light around, while the lights of barges and wherries
were sown like stars along the river.

" There is the house," cried Ormiston, and both paused
to take breath ; " and I am about at the last gasp. I won-
der if your pretty mistress would feel grateful if she knew
what I have come through to-night for her sweet sake ? "

" There are no lights," said Sir Norman, glancing anx-

34

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEJ^.

iously up at the darkened front of the house ; " even the
link before the door is unlit. Surely she cannot be there."

" That remains to be seen, though I'm very doubtful
about it, myself. Ah ! who have we here ? "

The cloor of the house in question opened, as he spoke,
and a figure — a man's figure, wearing a slouched hat and
long, dark cloak, came slowly out. He stopped before the
house and looked at it long and earnestly ; and, by the
twinkling light of the lamps, the friends saw enough of
him to know he was young and distinguished-looking.

" I should not wonder in the least if that were the bride-
groom," whispered Ormiston, maliciously.

Sir Norman turned pale with jealousy, and laid his hand
on his sword, with a quick and natural impulse to make
the bride a widow forthwith, But he checked the desire
for an instant, as the brigandish-looking gentleman, after
a prolonged stare at the premises, stepped up to the watch-
man, who had given tiiem their information an hour or
two before, and who was still at his post. The friends
could not be seen, but they could hear, and they did so,
very earnestly indeed.

" Can you tell me, my friend," began the cloaked un-
known, " what has become of the people residing in yonder
house ? "

The watchman held his lamp up to the face of the in-
terlocutor— a handsome face by the Avay, what could be
seen of it — and indulged himself in a prolonged survey.

" Well ! " said the gentleman, impatiently, " have you
no tongue, fellow ? Where are they, I say ? "

" Blessed if I know," said the watchman. " I Avasn't
set here to keep guard over them, was I ? It looks like
it, though," said the man, in parenthesis ; " for this makes
twice to-night I've been asked questions about it."

" Ah ! " said the gentleman, with a slight start. " Who
asked you before, pray ? "

" Two young gentlemen ; lords, I expect, by their dress.
Someljody ran screaming out of the house, and they
wanted to know what was wrong."

" Well ? " said the stranger breathlessly, " and then ? "

" And then, as I couldn't tell them, they went in to see
for themselves, and sliortly after came out with a body

THE COURT PAGE.

35

wrapped in a sheet, which they put in a pest-cart going
by, and had it buried, I suppose, with the rest in the
plague-pit."

The stranger fairly staggered back, and caught at a pil-
lar near for support. For nearly ten minutes he stood
perfectly motionless, and then, without a word, started
up and walked rapidly away. The friends looked after
him curiously till he was out of sight.

" So she is not there," said Ormiston ; " and our mysteri-
ous friend in the cloak is as much at a loss as we are our-
selves. Where shall we go next — to La Masque or the
pest-house ? "

" To La Masque — I hate the idea of the pest-house ! "

" She may be there, nevertheless ; and, under present
circumstances, it is the best place for her."

" Don't talk of it ! " said Sir Norman, impatiently. " I
do not and will not believe she is there. If the sorceress
shows her to me in the caldron again I verily believe I
shall jump in headforemost."

" And I verily believe we will not find La Masque at
home. She wanders through the streets at all hours, but
particularly affects the night."

" We shall try, however. Come along ! "

The house of the sorceress was but a short distance
from that of Sir Norman's plague- stricken lady-love's;
and shod with a sort of seven-league boots, they soon
reached it. Like the other, it was all dark and de-

" This is the house," said Ormiston, looking at it doubt-
fully, " but where is La Masque ? "

" Here ! " said a silvery voice at his elbow ; and, turn-
serted.

ing round, they saw a tall, slender figure, cloaked, hooded
and masked. " Surely, you two do not want me again to-
night?"

Both gentlemen doffed their plumed hats, and simul-
taneously bowed.

" Fortune favors us," said Sir Norman. " Yes, madam,
it is even so ; once again to-night we would tax your
skill."

" Well, what do you wish to know ? "
" Madame, we are in the street."

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Sir, I'm aware of that. Pray proceed."

" Will you not have the goodness to permit us to enter ? '*
said Sir Norman, inclined to feel offended. " How can
you tell us what we wish to know, here ? "

" That is my secret," said the sweet voice. " Probably
Sir Norman Kingsley wishes to know something of the
fair lady I showed him some time ago ? "

" Madam, you've guessed it. It is for that purpose I
have sought you now ! "

"Then you have seen her already ? "

" I have."

" And love her ? "

" With all my heart."

" A rapid flame," said the musical voice, in a tone that
had just a thought of sarcasm, " for one of whose very ex-
istence you did not dream two hours ago."

" Madam La Masque," said Norman, flushed and haughty,
" Love is not a question of time."

" Sir Norman Kingsley," said the lady, somewhat sadly,
I am aware of that. Tell me what you wish to know,
and if it be in my power, you shall know it."

" A thousand thanks ! Tell me, then, is she whom I
seek living or dead ? "

" She is alive."

" She has the plague ? " said Sir Norman:

" I know it."

" Will she recover ? "

"She will."

" Where is she now ? "

La Masque hesitated and seemed uncertain whether or
not to reply. Sir Norman passionately broke in :

" Tell nic, madam, for I must know ! "

"Tlicii yoii sliall ; but remember, if you get into danger
you mil si not blame me."

" IJlaine you ! No, I think I would hardly do that.
Whore am I to seek ifor her V "

"Two miles from London beyond Newgate," said the
mask, " tbere stands the ruins of what was long ago a
hunting-lodge, now a crumbling skeleton, roofless and
windowlc^ss, and said, by rumor, to be haunted. Perhaps
you hav(^ seen or lioard of it?"

THE COURT PAGE.

87

I have seen it a hundred times," broke in Sir Norman.
« Surely, you do not mean to say she is there ! "

" Go there and you will see. Go there to-night, and lose
no time — that is, supposing you can procure a license."

" I have one already. I have a pass from the lord
mayor to come and go from the city when I please."

" Good ! Then you'll go to-night ? "

" I will go. I might as well do that as anything else, I
suppose ; but it is quite impossible," said Sir Norman,,
firmly, not to say obstinately, " that she can be there."

Very well — you'll see. You had better go on horse-
back, if you desire to be back in time to witness the illu-
mination."

" I don't particularly desire to see the illumination, as
I know of ; but I will ride, nevertheless. What am I to
do when I get there ? "

" You will enter the ruins, and go on till you discover
a spiral staircase leading to what was once the vaults.
The flags of these vaults are loose from age, and if you
should desire to remove any of them you will probably
not hnd it an impossibility."

" Why should I desire to remove them ? " asked Sir
Korman, who felt dubious, and disappointed, and inclined
to be dogmatical.

"Why, you may see a glimmering of light — hear
strange noises ; and, if you remove the stones, may pos-
sibly see strange sights. As I told you before, it is
rumored to be haunted, which is true enough, though not
in the way they suspect ; and so the fools and the com-
mon herd stay away."

" And if I am discovered peeping like a rascally valet,
what will be the consequences ? "

" Very unpleasant ones to you ; but you need not be
discovered if you take care. Ah ! Look there ! "

She pointed to the river, and both her companions
looked. A barge gayly painted and decorated, with a
light in prow and stern, came gliding up among less pre-
tentious craft, and stopped at the foot of a flight of stairs
leading to the bridge. It contained four persons — the
oarsman, two cavaliers sitting in the stern, and a lad in
the rich liA^ery of a court-page in the act of springing out.

88

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

Nothing very wonderful in all this ; and Sir Norman and
Ormiston looked at her for an explanation.

" Do you know those two gentlemen ? " she asked.

" Certainly," replied Sir Norman, promptly ; " one is
the Duke of York, the other the Earl of Rochester."

" And that page, to which of them does he belong ? "

" The page ! " said Sir Norman, with a stare, as he
leaned forward to look • " pray madam, what has the
page to do with it ? "

" Look and see ! "

The two peers had ascended the stairs, and were already
on the bridge. The page loitered behind, talking, as it
seemed, to the waterman.

" He wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester," said
Ormiston, speaking for the first time, " but I cannot see
his face."

"He will follow presently, and be sure you see it then I
Possibly you may not find it entirely new to you."

She drew back into the shadow as she spoke ; and the two
nobles, as they advanced, talking earnestly, beheld Sir
Norman and Ormiston. Both raised their hats with a
look of recognition, and the salute was courteously re-
turned.

"Good-night, gentlemen," said Lord Rochester; "a hot
evening, is it not ? Have you come here to witness the
illumination ? "

" Hardly," said Sir Norman ; " we have come for a
very different purpose, my lord."

" The fires will have one good effect," said Ormiston,
laughing; "if they clear the air and drive away this
stifling atmosphere."

" Pray God they drive away the plague ! " said the
Duke of York, as he and his companion passed from
view.

The page sprung up the stairs after them, liumming as
he came, one of his master's love-ditties — songs, saith
tradition, savoring anytliing but the odor of sanctity.
With the warning of La Masque fresh in tlieir minds,
both looked at him earnestly. His gay livery was that of
Lord Rochester, and l)ccame his graceful figure well, as
he marched along with a jaunty swagger, one hand on his

THE COURT PAGE.

39

side, and the other toying with a beautiful little spaniel
that frisked in open violation of the lord mayor's orders,
commanding all dogs, great and small, to be put to death
as propagators of the pestilence. In passing, the lad
turned his face toward them for a moment — a bright,
saucy, handsome face it was — and the next instant he
went round an angle and disappeared, Ormiston sup-
pressed an oath. Sir Norman stifled a cry of amazement
— for both recognized that beautiful, colorless face, those
perfect features, and great, black, lustrous eyes. It was
the face of the lady they had saved from the plague-pit.

" Am I sane or mad ? " inquired Sir Nprman, looking
helplessly about him for informations. " Surely that is
'she we are in search of."

" It certainly is ! " said Ormiston. " Where are the
wonders of this night to end ? "

" Satan and La Masque only know ; for they both seem
to have united to drive me mad. Where is she ? "

" Where, indeed ? " said Ormiston ; " where is last
year's snow ? " And Sir ISTorman, looking round at the
the spot where she had stood a moment before, found
that she, too, had disappeared.

40

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER IV.

THE STRAXGEE.

The two friends looked at each other in impressive
silence for a moment, and spake never a word. Not
that they were astonished — they were long past the power
of that emotion ; and if a cloud had dropped from the sky
at their feet, they would probably have looked at it pas-
sively, and vaguely wondered if the rest would follow.
Sir Norman, especially, had sunk into a state of mind
that words are faint and feeble to describe. Oimiston,
not being quite so far gone, was the first to open his lips.

" Upon my honor, Sir Norman, this is the most astonish-
ing thing I ever heard of. That certainly was the face
of our half-dead bride ! What, in the name of all the
gods, can it mean, I wonder ? "

" I have given up wondering," said Sir Norman, in the
same helpless tone. " And if the earth was to open and
swallow London up, I should not be the least surprised.
One thing is certain : the lady we are seeking and that
page are one and the same."

" And yet La Masque told you that she was two miles
from the city in the haunted ruin , and La Masque most
assuredly knows."

" I have no doubt she is there. I shall not be the least
astonished if I find her in every street between this and
Newgate."

" Really, it is a most singular affair ! First you see her
in the magic caldron ; then we find her dead ; then, Avhen
within an ace of being buried, she comes to life ; then we
leave her lifeless as a marble statue, shut up in your
room, and, fifteen minutes after, she vanishes as mysteri-
ously as a fairy in a nursery legend. And, lastly, she turns
up in the shape of a c()urt-j);ige, and swaggers along London
Bridge at tliis hour of the night, chanting a love-song.

THE STRANGER.

41

Faith ! it would puzzle the sphinx herself to read this
riddle, I've a notion ! "

" I, for one, shall never try to read it," said Sir Norman.
*' I am about tired of this labyrinth of mysteries, and
shall leave time and La Masque to unravel them at their
leisure."

" Then you mean to give up the pursuit ? "

" Not exactly. I love this mysterious beauty too well
to do that ; and when next I find her, be it where it may,
I shall take care she does not slip so easilj^ through my
fingers."

" I can not forget that page," said Ormiston, musingly.
*' It is singular, since he wears the Earl of Rochester's
livery, that we have never seen him before among his
"followers. Are you quite sure, Sir Norman, that you
have not?"

"Seen him? Don't be absurd, Ormiston! Do you
think I could ever forget such a face as that ? "

" It would not be easy, I confess. One does not see
4such every day. And yet — and yet — it is most extraor-
dinary ! "

" I shall ask Rochester about him the first thing to-
morrow ; and unless he is an optical illusion — which I
vow I half-believe is the case — I will come at the truth in
spite of your demoniac friend, La Masque ! "

" Then you do not mean to look for him to-night ? "

" Look for him ? I might as well look for a needle in a
haystack. Not I ! I have promised La Masque to visit
the old ruins, and there I shall go forthwith. Will you
accompany me ? "

" I think not. I have a word to say to La Masque ; and
you and she kept talking so busily, I had no chance to
put it in."

Sir Norman laughed.

" Besides, I have no doubt it is a word you would not
like to utter in the presence of a third party even though
that third party be your friend and Pythias, Kingsley.
Do you mean to stay here like a plague- sentinel until she
returns?"

" Possibly ; or if I get tired I may set out in search of
her. When do you return?"

42

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" The Fates, that seem to make a foot-ball of my best
affections, and kick them as they please, only know. If
nothing happens — which, being interpreted, means, if I
am still in the land of the living — I shall surely be back
by daybreak."

"And I shall be anxious about that time to hear the re-
sult of your night's adventure ; so where shall we meet ? "

" Why not here ? it is as good a place as any."

« With all my heart. Where do you propose getting a
horse ? "

" At the King's Arms — not a stone's throw from here.
Farewell."

" Good-night, and God speed you ! " said Ormiston.
And wrapping his cloak close about him, he leaned against
the doorway, and watching the dancing lights on the river,
prepared to await the return of La Masque.

With his head full of the adventures and misadventures
of the night, Sir Norman walked thoughtfully on until he
reached the King's Arms — a low inn on the bank of the
■V river. To his dismay he found the house shut up, and
bearing the dismal mark and inscription of the pestilence.
WJiile he stood contemplating it in perplexity, a watch-
man, on guard before another plague-stricken house, ad-
vanced and informed him that the whole family had per-
ished of the disease, and that the landlord himself, the
last survivor, had been carried off not twenty minutes be-
fore to the plague-pit.

" But," added the man, seeing Sir Norman's look of
annoyance, and being informed what he wanted, " there
are two or three horses around there in the stable, and
you may as well help yourself ; for if you don't take
them, somebody else will."

This philosophic logic struck Sir Norman as being so
extremely reasonable, that without more ado he stepped
round to tlie stables and selected the best it contained.
Before proceeding on his journey, it occurred to him that,
having be(;n handling a plague-stricken patient, it would
be a good thing to get his clothes fumigated ; so lie
stepped into a n(jig}il)oring apothecary's shop for that pur-
pose, and provided himself also with a bottle of aromatic
vinegar. Thus prepared for the worst, Sir Norman

THE STRANGER.

43

sprung on his horse like a second Don Quixote striding
his good steed Rozinante, and sallied forth in quest of ad-
ventures. These, for a short time, were of rather a dis-
mal character ; for, hearing the noise of horse's hoofs in
the silent streets at that hour of the night, the people
opened their doors as he passed by, thinking it the pest-
cart, and brought forth many a miserable victim of the
pestilence. Averting his head from the revolting spec-
tacles. Sir Norman held the bottle of vinegar to his nos-
trils, and rode rapidly till he reached Newgate. There
he was stopped until his bill of health was examined,
and that small manuscript being found all right, he was
permitted to pass on in peace. Everywhere he went, the
trail of the serpent was visible over all. Death and Deso-
lation went hand in hand. Outside as well as inside the
gates great piles of wood and coal were arranged, waiting
only the midnight hour to be fired. Here, hoAvever, no one
seemed to be stirring ; and no sound broke the silence
but the distant rumble of the death-cart, and the ringing
of the driver's bell. There were lights in some of the
houses, but many of them were dark and deserted, and
nearly every one bore the red cross of the plague.

It was a gloomy scene and hour, and Sir Norman's
heart turned sick within him as he noticed the ruin and
devastation the pestilence had everywhere wrought. And
he remembered, with a shudder, the prediction of Lilly, the
astrologer, that the paved streets of London would be
like green fields, and the living be no longer able to bury
the dead. Long before this, he had grown hardened and
accustomed to death from its very frequence ; but now,
as he looked round him he almost resolved to ride on, and
return no more to London till the plague should have left
it. But then came the thought of his unknovm lady-love,
and with it the reflection that he was on his way to find
her ; and rousing himself from his melancholy reverie, he
rode on at a brisker pace, heroically resolved to brave the
plague or any other emergency, for her sake. Full of
this laudable and lover-like resolution, he had got on
about a mile further, when he was suddenly checked in
his rapid career by an exciting, but in no way surprising
little incident.

'44

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

During the last few yards, Sir Norman had come with-
in sight of another horseman, riding on at rather a leisurely
pace, considering the place and the hour. Suddenly, three
other horsemen came galloping down upon him, and the
leader, presenting a pistol at his head, requested him in a
stentorian voice for his money or his life. By way of re-
ply, the stranger instantly produced a pistol of his own,
and before the astonished highwayman could comprehend
the possibility of such an act, discharged it full in his face.
With a loud yell the robber reeled and fell from his sad-
dle, and in a twinkling both his companions fired their
pistols at the traveler, and bore, with a simultaneous cry
of rage, down upon him. Neither of the shots had taken
effect, but the two enraged highwaymen would have made
short work of their victim had not Sir Norman, like a true
knight, ridden to the rescue. Drawing his sword with
one vigorous blow he placed another of the assassins
hors de combat', and, delighted with the idea of a fight to
stir his stagnant blood, was turning (like a second St.
George at the Dragon) upon the other, when that indi-
vidual, thinking discretion the better part of valor, in-
stantaneously turned tail and fled. The whole brisk little
episode had not occupied five minutes, and Sir Norman was
scarcely aware the fight had begun before it had trium-
phantly ended.

" Short, sharp and decisive ! " was the stranger's cool
criticism, as he deliberately wiped his blood-stained sword
and placed it in a velvet scabbard. " Our friends, there,
got more than they bargained for, I fancy. Though, but
for you, sir," he said, politely raising his hat and bowing,
" I should probably have been ere this in heaven, or — the
other place."

Sir Norman, deeply edified by the easy sang froid of
the speaker, turned to t;ik(^ a. second look at him. There
was very lil.Uc lii^Iil; Tor tlu^ iiig-lit luid ^Town darker as
it wore on, and tlu^ few stars tliat liad glinnnered faintly
liad hid th(n"r dimiiiislied heads behind the })iles of inky
clouds. Still, there was a sort of faint })h()sphores(!ent
light whit(^ning the gloom, and by it Sir Norman's kc^en
bright eyes discovered that he wore a long dark (iloak
and slouched hat. He discovered something else, too —

THE STRANGER.

45

that he had seen that hat and cloak, and the man inside
of them, on London Bridge not an hour before. It struck
Sir Norman there was a sort of fatality in their meeting ;
and his pulses quickened a trifle, as he thought that he
might be speaking to the husband of the lady for whom
he had so suddenly conceived such a rash and inordinate
iittachment. That personage meantime having reloaded
his pistol, with a self-possession refreshing to witness, re-
placed it in his doublet, gathered up the reins, and glan-
cing slightly at his companion, spoke again :

" I should thank you for saving my life, I suppose, but
thanking people is so little in my line that I scarcely
know how to set about it. Perhaps, my dear sir, you will
take the will for the deed."

" An original, this," thought Sir Norman, " whoever
he is." Then aloud : " Pray don't trouble yourself about
thanks, sir. I should have done precisely the same for
the highwaymen, had you been three to one over
them."

" I don't doubt it in the least ; nevertheless, I feel grate-
ful, for you have saved my life all the same, and you have
never seen me before."

" There 3^ou are mistaken," said Sir Norman, quietly,
I had the pleasure of seeing you scarce an hour ago."

"Ah!" said the stranger, in an altered tone, "and
^vhere ? "

" On London Bridge."

" I did not see you. "

" Very likely, but I was there none the less."

" Do you know me ? " said the stranger ; and Sir Nor-
man could see he was gazing at him sharply from under
the shadov/ of the slouched hat.

" I have not that honor, but I hope to do so before we
part."

" It was quite dark when you saw me on the bridge —
how comes it, then, that you recollect me so well ? "

" I have always been blessed with an excellent memory,"
said Sir Norman, carelessly, "and I knew your dress,
face and voice instantly."

" My voice ! Then you heard me speak — probably to
the watchman guarding a plague-stricken house ? "

46 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

"Exactly ! and the subject being a very interesting one,
I listened to all you said."

" Indeed ! and what possible interest could the subject
have for you, may I ask ? *^

" A deeper one than you think ! " said Sir Norman,
with a slight tremor in his voice as he thought of the lady,
"the watchman told you the lady you sought for
been carried away dead, thrown into the plague-
pit!*

" Well," cried the stranger, starting violently, " and was
it not true?"

" Only partly. She was carried away in the pest- cart
sure enough, but she was not thrown into the plague-
pit ! "

" And why ? "

" Because, when on reaching that horrible spot, she was
found to be alive ! "

" Good Heaven ! And what then ? "

" Then ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, in a tone almost as ex-
cited as his own, " she was brought to the house of a
friend, and left alone for a few minutes, while that friend
went in search of a doctor. On returning they found
her — where do you think ? "

"Where?"

" Gone ! " said Sir Norman, emphatically, " spirited
away by some mysterious agency ; for she was dying of
the plague, and could not possibly stir hand or foot her-
self."

" Dying of the plague, oh, Leoline ! " said the stranger,
in a voice full of pity and horror, while for a moment he
covered his face with his hg^nds.

" So her name is Leoline ? " said Sir Norman to himself,
" I have found that out, and also that this gentleman,
wliatever he may be to her, is as ignorant of her where-
abouts as I am myself. He seems in trouble, too. I
wonder if he really happens to be her husband ?"

The stranger suddenly lifted his head and favored Sir
Norman with a long and searcliing look.

" How come you to know all this, Sir Norman Kings-
ley ? " he asked, al)ruptly.

" And how come you to know my name ? " dtiiuanded

THE STRANGER.

47

Sir Norman, very much amazed, notwithstanding his
assertion that nothing would astonish him more.

"That is of no consequence! Tell me how you've
learned all this ? " repeated the stranger, in a tone of al-
most stern authority.

Sir Norman started and stared. That voice ! he had
heard it a thousand times ! It had evidently been dis-
guised before ; but now, in the excitement of the moment,
the stranger was thrown off his guard, and it became per-
fectly familiar. But where had he heard it ? For the
life of him. Sir Norman could not tell, yet it was as well
known to him as his own. It had the tone, too, of one
far more used to command than entreaty ; and Sir Norman,
instead of getting angry, as he felt he ought to have done,
mechanically answered :

" The watchman told you of two young men who
brought her out and laid her in the dead- cart — I was one
of the two."

" And who was the other ? "

" A friend of mine — one Malcolm Ormiston."

" Ah ! I know him ! Pardon my abruptness, Sir Nor-
man," said the stranger, once more speaking in his as-
sumed suave tone, " but I feel deeply on this subject, and
was excited at the moment. You spoke of her being
brought to the house of a friend — now, who may that
friend be, for I was not aware that she had any ? "

" So I judged," said Sir Norman, rather bitterly, " or she
\vould not have been left to die alone of the plague. She
was brought to my house, sir, and I am the friend who
would have stood by her to the last ! "

Sir Norman sat up very straight and haughty on his
horse ; and had it been daylight he would have seen a
slight derisive smile pass over the lips of his companion.

" I have always heard that Sir Norman Kingsley was
a chivalrous knight," he said ; " but I scarcely dreamed
his gallantry would have carried him so far as to brave
death by the pestilence for the sake of an unknown lady —
however beautiful. I wonder you did not carry her to
the pest-house."

" No doubt ! Those who could desert her at such a time
would probably be capable of that or any other baseness ! "

48

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" My good friend," said the stranger, calmly, " your in-
sinuation is not over-courteous, but I can forgive it, more
for the sake of what you've done for her to-night than
for myself."

Sir Norman's lip curled.

" I'm obliged to you ! And now, sir, as you have seen
fit to question me in this free and easy manner, will you
pardon me if I take the liberty of returning the compli-
ment, and ask you a few in return ? "

" Certainly ; pray proceed. Sir Norman," said the stran-
ger, blandly ; " you are at liberty to ask as many ques-
tions as you please, and — so am I to answer them ! "

" I answered all yours unhesitatingly, and you owe it
to me to do the same," said Sir Norman, somewhat
haughtily. " In the first place, you have an advantage of
me which I neither understand nor relish ; so, to place us
on equal terms, will you have the goodness to tell me
your name ? "

" Most assuredly ! My name," said the stranger, with
glib airiness, " is Count L'Estrange."

" A name unknown to me," said Sir Norman, with a
piercing look, " and equally unknown, I believe, at White-
hall. There is a Lord L'Estrange in London ; but you
and he are certainly not one and the same."

" My friend does not believe me," said the count, almost
gayly — " a circumstance I regret, but cannot help. Is
there anything else Sir Norman wishes to know ? "

" If you do not answer my questions truthfully, there
is little use in my asking them," said Sir Norman, bluntly.
" Do you mean to say you are a foreigner ? "

" Sir Norman Kingsley is at perfect liberty to answer
that (question as he pleases," replied the stranger, with
most provoking indifference.

Sir Norman's eye Hashed, and his liand fell on his
sword ; but, reflecting that the count miglit find it in-
convenient to answer any more (juestions if lie ran him
tlirough, he restrained himself and went on :

" Sir, you are iin])(M'tinent, but that is of no consccjuenxie,
just now. Who was that lady — what was her name?"

" L(M)line."

" Was she your wife':'"

THE STRANGER.

49

The stranger paused for a moment, as if reflecting
whether she was or not, and then said, meditatively :

" No — I don't knov.r as she was. On the whole, I am
pretty sure she was not."

Sir Norman felt as if a ton weight had been suddenly
hoisted from the region of his heart.

" Was she anybody else's wife ? "

" I think not. I'm inclined to think that, except my^
self, she did not know another man in London."

" Then why was she dressed as a bride ? " inquired
Sir Norman, rather mystified.

" Was she ? My poor Leoline ! " said the stranger, sad-
ly. " Because — " he hesitated, " because — in short. Sir
Norman," said the stranger, decidedly, "I decline an-
swering any more questions ! "

" I shall find out for all that," said Sir Norman ; " and
here I shall bid you good-night, for this by-path leads to
my destination."

" Good-night," said the stranger, " and be careful, Sir
Norman — remember, the plague is abroad."

" And so are highwaymen ! " called Sir Norman after
him, a little maliciously ; but a careless laugh from the
stranger was the only reply as he galloped away.

60 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER V.

THE DWARF AND THE RUIN.

The by-path down which Sir Norman rode, led to an
inn, " The Golden Crown," about a quarter of a mile from
the ruin. Not wishing to take his horse lest it should
lead to discovery, he proposed leaving it here till his re-
turn ; and, with this intention, and the strong desire for
a glass of wine — for the heat and his ride made him ex-
tremely thirsty — he dismounted at the door, and consign-
ing the animal to the care of a hostler, he entered the bar-
room. It was not the most inviting place in the world,
this same bar-room — being illy-lighted, dim with tobacco-
smoke, and pervaded by a strong spirituous essence, of
stronger drinks than malt or cold water. A number of
men were loitering about smoking, drinking and discuss-
ing the all-absorbing topic of the plague, and the fires
that might be kindled. There was a moment's pause as
Sir Norman entered, took a seat and called for a glass of
sack, and then the conversation went on as before.
The landlord hastened to supply his wants by placing a
glass and a bottle of wine before him, and Sir Norman fell
to helping himself, and to ruminating deeply on the events
of the night. Rather melancholy these ruminations were,
though to do the young gentleman justice sentimental
melancholy was not at all in his line.; but then you will
please to recollect he was in love, and when people come
to that state they are no longer to be held responsible
either for their tlioughts or actions. It is true his attack
had been a rapid one, but it was no less severe for that ;
and if any evil-minded critic is disposed to sneer at the
suddenness of the disorder, I have only to say, that I
know from observation, not to speak of exixu'ionce, that
love at first siglit is a lamentable fact, and no myth.

THE DWARF AND THE RUIN. 51

Love is not a plant that requires time to flourish, but
is quite capable of springing up like the gourd of Jonah,
full grown in a moment. Our young friend, Sir Norman,
had not been awat:e of the existence of the object of his
affections for a much longer space than two hours and a
half, yet he had already got to such a pitch, that if he did
not speedily find her, he felt he would do something so
desperate as to shake society to its utmost foundations.
The very mystery of the affair spurred him on, and the
romantic way in which she had been found, saved and
disappeared, threw such a halo of interest round her, that
he was inclined to think sometimes she was nothing but
a shining vision from another world. Those dark, splen-
did eyes ; that lovely, marble-like face ; those wavy ebon
tresses ; that exquisitely exquisite figure ; yes, he felt
they were all a great deal too perfect for this imperfect
and wicked world. Sir Norman was in a very bad way,
beyond doubt, but no worse than millions of young men
before and after him ; and he heaved a great many pro-
found sighs, and drank a great many glasses of sack, and
came to the sorrowful conclusion that Dame Fortune was
a malicious jade, inclined to poke fun at his best affec-
tions, and make a shuttlecock of his heart for the rest of
• his life. He thought, too, of Count L'Estrange ; and the
longer he thought, the more he became convinced that he
knew him well, and had met him often. But where ?
He racked his brain until, between love, Leoline and the
count, he got that delicate organ into such a maze of be-
wilderment and distraction, that he felt he would be a
case of congestion, shortly, if he did not give it up. That
the count's voice was not the only thing about him as-
sumed he was positive ; and he mentally called over the
muster-roU of his past friends, who spent half their time
at Whitehall, and the other half going through the streets,
making love to the honest citizens' pretty wives and
daughters ; but none of them answered to Count L'Es-
trange. He could scarcely be a foreigner — he spoke
English with too perfect an accent to be that ; and then
he knew him, Sir Norman, as if he had been his brother.
In short, there was no use driving himself insane trying
to read so unreadable riddle ; and, inwardly consigning

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

the mysterious count to Old Nick, he swallowed another
glass of sack, and quit thinking about him.

So absorbed had Sir Norman been in his own mournful
musings, that he paid no attention whatever to those
around him, and had nearly forgotten their very presence,
when one of them, with a loud cry, sprung to his feet, and
then fell writhing to the floor. The others, in dismay,
gathered about him, but the next instant fell back with a
cry of, " He has the plague ! " At that dreaded announce-
ment, half of them scampered off incontinently ; and the
other half with the landlord at their head, lifted the suf-
ferer, whose groans and cries were heart-rending, and
carried him out of the house. Sir Norman, rather dis-
mayed himself, had risen to his feet, fully aroused from
his reverie, and found himself and another individual sole
possessors of the premises. His companion he could not
very well make out ; for he was sitting, or rather crouch-
ing, in a remote and shadowy corner, where nothing was
clearly visible but the glare of a pair of fiery eyes. There
was a great redundancy of hair, too, about his head and
face, indeed, considerable more about the latter than there
seemed any real necessity for, and even with the imper-
fect glimpse he caught of him, the young man set him
down in bis own mind as about as hard-looking a customer
as he had ever seen. The fiery eyes were glaring upon
him like those of a tiger, through a jungle of bushy hair,
but their owner spoke never a word, though the other
stared back with compound interest. There they sat,
beaming upon each other — one fiercely, the other cu-
riously, until the reappearance of the landlord with a very
lugubrious and woebegone countenance. It struck Sir
Norman that it was about time to start for the ruins and,
with an eye to business, he turned to cross-examine mine
host a trifle.

" What have they done with that man ? " he asked by
way of preface.

" Sent him to the pest-house," replied the landlord,
resting his elbows on the counter and his chin in his
hands and staring dismally at the opposite wall. " Ah !
Lord 'ji' mercy on us ! these be dn^adful times ! "

" Dreadful enougli ! " said Sir Norman, sighing deeply,

THE DWARF AND THE RUIN. 53^

as he thought of his beautiful Leoline, a victim of the
merciless pestilence. " Have there been many deaths here
of the distemper ? "

" Twenty-five to-day," groaned the man. " Oh, Lord !
what will become of us ? "

"You seem rather disheartened," said Sir Norman
pouring out a glass of wine and handing it to him.
" Just drink this, and don't borrow trouble. They say
sack is a sure specific against the plague."

Mine host drained the bumper, and wiped his mouthy,
with another hollow groan.

" If I thought that, sir, I'd not be sober from one week's
end to t'other ; but I know well enough I will be in a
plague-pit in less than a week. Oh, Lord, have mercy
on us ! "

" Amen ! " said Sir Norman, impatiently. " If fear has
not taken away your wits, my good sir, will you tell me
what old ruin that is I saw a little above here as I rode
up?"

The man started from his trance of terror, had glanced
first at the fiery eyes in the corner, and then at Sir Nor-
man, in evident trepidation of the question.

"That ruin, sir? You must be a stranger in this
place, surely, or you would not need to ask that ques-
tion."

" Well, suppose I am a stranger ? What then ? "

" Nothing, sir ; only I thought everybody knew every-
thing about that ruin."

" But I do not, you see ? So fill your glass again, and
while you are drinking it, just tell me what that every-
thing comprises."

Again the landlord glanced fearfully at the fiery eyes in
the corner, and again hesitated.

" Well," exclaimed Sir Norman, at once surprised and
impatient at his taciturnity. " Can't you speak, man ? I
want you to tell me all about it."

" There is nothing to tell, sir," replied the host, goaded
to desperation. " It's an old, deserted ruin that's been
here ever since I remember ; and that's all I know about
it."

While he spoke, the crouching shape in the corner

54

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

reared itself upright, and keeping his fiery eyes still glar-
ing upon Sir Norman, advanced into the light. Our
young knight was in the act of raising his glass to his
lips ; but as the apparition approached, he laid it down
again, untasted, and stared at it in wildest surprise and
intensest curiosity. Truly, it was a singular- looking crea-
ture, not to say a rather startling one. A dwarf of some
four feet high, and at least five feet broad across the
shoulders, with immense arms and head — a giant in every
thing but height. His immense skull was set on such a
trifle of a neck as to be scarcely worth mentioning and
was garnished by a violent mat of coarse, black hair,
which also overrun the territory of his cheeks and chin,
leaving no neutral ground but his two fiery eyes and a
broken nose all twisted awry. On a pair of short, stout
legs he wore immense jack-koots, his Herculean shoulders
and chest were adorned with a leathern doublet, and in
the belt round his waist were conspicuously struck a pair
of pistols and a dagger. Altogether, a more ugly or
sinister gentleman of his inches it would have been hard
to find in all broad England. Stopping deliberately be-
fore Sir Norman, he placed a hand on each hip, and in a
deep, guttural voice, addressed him :

" So, Sir Knight — for such I perceive you are — you are
anxious to know something of that old ruin yonder ? "

" Well," said Sir Norman, so far recovering from his
surprise as to be able to speak, " suppose I am ? Have
you anything to say against it, my little friend ? "

" Oh, not in the least ! " said the dwarf, with a hoarse
chuckle. " Only, instead of wasting your breath asking
this good man, wlio professes sucli utter ignorance, you
had better api)ly to me for information."

Again Sir Norman surveyed the little Hercules from
head to foot, for a moment, in silence as one, now-a-days,
would an int(iHig(3nt gorilla.

" Yow think so -do yon? And what may you happen
to know about it, my pr(;lty liltU^ fri(Mid ? "

" Oh, liord !" (ixciiiiined th(^ landlord, to liimsi^lf, with
a fri^ht(in(;d fa(;(^, whih; the dwarf, "griniUMl horribly a
ghastly sniih;" from ear to ear.
" So much, my good sir, that I would strongly advise you

THE DWARF AND THE RUIN.

55

not to go near it, unless you wish to catch something worse
than the plague. There have been others — our worthy-
host, there, whose, teeth, you perceive, are chattering in
his head, can tell you about those that have tried the
trick, and — "

" Well ? " said Norman, curiously.

" And have never returned to tell what they found ! "
concluded the little monster, Avith a diabolical leer. And
as the landlord fell, gray and gasping, back into his seat,
he broke out a loud, hyena-like laugh.

" My dear little friend," said Sir Norman, staring at
him in displeased wonder, " don't laugh, if you can help
it. You are unprepossessing enough, at best, but when
you laugh, you look like the very " (a downward gesture)
« himself ! "

Unheeding this advice, the dwarf broke again into an
an unearthly cachinnation, that frightened the landlord
nearly into fits, and seriously discomposed the nervous
system even of Sir Norman himself. Then, grinning like
a baboon and still transfixing our puissant young knight
with the same tiger-like and unpleasant glare, he nodded
a farewell ; and in this fashion, grinning, and nodding and
backing, he got to the door, and concluding the interest-
ing performance with a third hoarse and hideous laugh,
disappeared in the darkness.

For fully ten minutes after he was gone, the young
man kept his eyes blankly fixed on the door, with a
vague impression that he was suffering from an attack of
nightmare : for it seemed impossible that anything so
preposterously ugly as that dwarf could exist out of one.
A deep groan from the landlord, however, convinced him
that it was no disagreeable midnight vision, but a braw-
ny reality ; and turning to that individual, he found him
gasping, in the last degree of terror, behind the counter.

" Now, who in the name of all the demons out of
Hades may that ugly abortion be?" inquired Sir
Norman.

" Oh, Lord ! be merciful ! sir, it's Caliban ; and the only
wonder is, he did not leave you a bleeding corpse at his
feet!"

" I should like to see him try it. Perhaps he would

m

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

have found that is a game two can play at ! Where
does he come from and who is he ? "

The landlord leaned over the counter, and placed a
very pale and startled face close to Sir Norman's,

" That's just what I wanted to tell you, sir, but I was
afraid to speak before him. I think he lives up in that
same old ruin you were inquiring about — at least he is
often seen hanging around there ; but people are too much
afraid of him to ask him any questions. Ah, sir, it's a
strange place, that ruin, and there be strange stories afloat
about it," said the man, with a portentous shake of the
head.

" What are they ? " inquired Sir Norman. " I should
particularly like to know."

" Well, sir, for one thing, some folks say it is haunted,
on account of the queer lights and noises about it, some-
times ; but again, there be other folks, sir, that say the
ghosts are alive, and that he " — nodding toward the door
— " is a sort of ringleader among them."

" And who are they that cut up such cantrips in the
old place, pray ? "

" Lord only knows, sir. I'm sure I don't. I never go
near it myself ; but there are others who have, and some
of them tell of the most beautiful lady, all in white, with
long, black hair, wlio walks on the battlement moon-
light nights."

" A beautiful lady, all in white, with long, black hair !
Why, that description applies to Leoline exactly."

And Sir Norman gave a violent start, and arose to pro-
€eed to the place directly.

" Don't you go near it, sir ! " said the host, warningly.
" Others have gone, as lie told you, and never come back ;
for tliese be dreadful times, and men do as they please.
Between the plague and their wickedness, the Lord only
knows wliat will become of us !

"If I should return hero for my horse in an hour or
two I sui)p()s(; I can get Iiim? said Sir Norman, as he
turned toward tlie door.

" rt's likely you can, sir, if I'm not dead by that time,"
said the laiullord as lie sunk down again, groaning dis-
mally, with his chin between his hands.

THE DWARF AND THE WUm.

57

The night was now profoundly dark ; but Sir Norman
l^new the road and ruin well, and drawing his sword, walk-
ed resolutely on. The distance between it and the ruin was
trifling, and in less than ten minutes it loomed up before
him, a mass of deeper black in the blackness ISlo white
vision floated on the broken battlements this night, as Sir
Norman looked wistfully up at them ; but neither was
there any ungainly dwarf, with two-edged sword, guard-
ing the ruined entrance ; and Sir Norman passed unmo-
lested in. He sought the spiral staircase which La
Masque had spoken of, and, passing carefully from one an-
cient chamber to another, stumbling over piles of rubbish
and stones as he went, he reached it at last. Descending
gingerly its tortuous steepness he found himself in the
moldering vaults, and, as he trod them, his ear was greet-
ed by the sound of faint and far-off music. Proceeding
further, he heard distinctly, mingled with it, a murmur
of voices and laughter, and, through the chinks in the
broken flags, he perceived a few faint rays of light.
Hemembering the directions of La Masque, and feeling
intensely curious, he cautiously knelt down, and examined
the loose flagstones until he found one he could raise ;
lie pushed it partly aside, and, lying flat on the stones,
with his face to the aperture, Sir Norman beheld a most
wonderful sight.

58 THE MIDNIGHT QUEENo

CHAPTER VI.

LA MASQUE.

Love is like a dizziness," says the old song. Love is
something else — it is the most selfish feeling in existence.
Of course, I don't allude to the fraternal or the friendly,
or any other such nonsensical, old-fashioned trash that
artless people still believe m, but to the real genuine
article that Adam felt for Eve when he first saw her, and
which all who read this — above the innocent and unsus-
ceptible age of twelve — have experienced. And the fancy
and the reality are so much alike, that they amount to
about the same thing. The former, perhaps, may be a
little short-lived ; but it is just as disagreeable a sensation
while it lasts as its more enduring sister. Love is said
to be blind, and it also has a very injurious effect on the
eyesight of its victims— an effect that neither spectacles
nor oculists can aid in the slightest degree, making them
see, whether sleeping or waking, but one object, and that
alone.

I don't know whether these were Mr. Malcolm Orm-
iston's thoughts, as he leaned against the doorway, and
folded his arms across his chest, to await the shining of
his day-star. In fact, I am pretty sure they were not :
young gentlemen, as a general thing, not being any more
given to profound moralizing in the reign of His Most
Gracious Majesty, Charles II., than they are at the pres-
ent day ; but I do know, that no sooner was his bosom-
friend and crony. Sir Norman Kingsley, out of sight, than
he forgot him as teetotally as if he had never known that
distinguisli(;d individual. His many and deep afflictions,
his 1<)V(!, his anguish, and his provocations, his beautiful,
tantalizing, and mysterious lady-love ; his errand and its

LA MASQUE.

59

probable consequences ; all were forgotten ; and Ormiston
thought of nothing or nobody ui the world but himself
and La Masque. La Masque ! La Masque ! that was the
theme on which his thoughts rang, with wild variations
of alternate hope and fear, like every other lover since the
world began, and love was first an institution. "As it
was in the iDeginning, is now, and ever shall be," truly,
truly, it is an odd and wonderful thing. And you and I
may thank our stars, dear readers, that we are a great
deal too sensible to wear our hearts on our sleeves for
such a bloodthirsty daw to peck at. Ormiston's flame
was longer-lived than Sir Norman's ; he had been in love
a whole month, and had it badly, and was now at the
very crisis of a malady. Why did she conceal her face —
would she ever disclose it — would she listen to him —
would she ever love him ? feverishly asked Passion ; and
Common Sense (or what little of that useful commodity
he had left) answered — probably because she was eccentric
— possibly she would disclose it for the same reason ; that
he had only to try and make her listen ; and as to her
loving him, why, Common Sense owned he had her there.
I can't say whether the adage " Faint heart never won
fair lady ! " was extant in his time ; but the spirit of it
certainly was, and Ormiston determined to prove it. He
wanted to see La Masque, and try his fate once again ;
and see her he would, if he had to stay there as a sort of
ornamental prop to the house for a week. He knew he
might as well look for a needle in a haystack as his whim-
sical beloved through the streets of London — dismal and
dark now as the streets of Luxor and Tadmor in Egypt ;
and he wisely resolved to spare himself and his Spanish
leathern boots the trial of a one-handed game of " hide-
and-go-seek." Wisdom like Virtue, is its own reward ;
and scarcely had he come to this laudable conclusion,
when, by the feeble glimmer of the house-lamps, he saw
a figure, that made his heart bound, flitting through the
night gloom towards him. He would have known that
figure on the sands of Sahara, in an Indian jungle, or an
American forest — a tall, slight, supple figure, bending
and springing like a bow of steel, queenly and regal as
that of a young empress. It was draped in a long cloak

60

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

reaching to the ground, in color as black as the night,,
and clasped by a jewel whose glittering flash he saw even
there ; a velvet hood of the same color covered the stately
head ; and the mask — the tiresome, inevitable mask
covered the beautiful — he was positive it was beautiful —
face. He had seen her a score of times in that very dress,
flitting like a dark, graceful ghost through the city streets,
and the sight sent his heart plunging against his side
like an inward sledge-hammer. Would one pulse in her
heart stir ever so faintly at sight of him ? Just as he
asked himself the question, and was stepping forward to
meet her, feeling very like the country swain in love —
" hot and dry like, with a pain in his side like " — he sud-
denly stopped. Another figure came forth from the
shadow of an opposite house, and softly pronounced her
name. It was a short figure — a woman's figure. He
could not see the face, and that was an immense relief to
him, and prevented his having jealousy added to his
other pains and tribulations. La Masque paused as well
as lie, and her soft voice softly asked :
" Who calls ? "

"It is I, madame — Prudence."

" Ah ! I am glad to meet you. I have been searching
the city through for you. Where have you been ? "

" Madame, I was so frightened that I don't know where
I fled to, and I could scarcely make up my mind to come
back at all. I did feel dreadfully sorry for her, poor
thing ! but you know Madame Masque, I could do noth-
ing for her, and I should have come back, only I was-
iifraid of you."

" You did wrong. Prudence," said La Masque, sternly,
or at least as sternly as so sweet a voice could speak ;
" you did very wrong to leave her in such a way. You
should have come to me at once, and told me all."

" J>ut, madame, I was so frightened ! "

" J5ali ! You are notliing but a coward. Come into
til is doorway {iiid tell me all about it."

Orniiston drew back jis the twain approached, and
ciit(ired tlu; ])()rtals of La Ma,s(iue's own doorway. He
could see them both by tlie afon^said faint lamp-light,
and he noticed that La Masque's companion was a

LA MASQUE.

61

crinkled old woman, that would not trouble the peace
of mind of the most jealous lover in Christendom. Per-
Jiaps it was not just the thing to hover aloof and listen ;
but he could not for the life of him help it ; and stand
and listen he accordingly did. Who knew but this noc-
turnal conversation might throw some light on the dark
mystery he was anxious to see through, and could his
ears have run into needle-points to hear the better, he
would have had the operation then and there performed.
There was a moment's silence after the two entered the
portal, during which La Masque stood, tall, dark, and
commanding, motionless as a marble column ; and the
little withered old specimen of humanity beside her stood
gazing up at her with something between fear and fasci-
nation.

" Do you know what has become of your charge, Pru-
dence ? " asked the low, vibrating voice of La Masque, at
last.

" How could I, madame. You know I fled from the
house, and I dare not go back. Perhaps she is there still."

"Perhaps she is not! Do you suppose that sharp
shriek of yours was unheard ! No ; she was found ; and
what do you suppose has become of her ? "

The old woman looked up, and seemed to read in the
dark, stern figure, and deep, solemn voice, the fatal truth.
She wrung her hands with a sort of cry.

" Oh ! I know, I know ; they have put her in the dead-
cart, and buried her in the plague-pit. Oh, my dear,
sweet young mistress."

" If you had stayed by your dear, sweet young mistress,
instead of running screaming away as you did, it might
not have hapi)ened," said La Masque, in a tone between
derision and contempt.

" Madame," sobbed the old woman, who was crying ;
" she was dying of the plague, and how could I help it ?
They would have buried her in spite of me."

" She was not dead ; there was your mistake. She
was as much alive as you or I at this moment."

" Madame, I left her dead ! " said the old woman,
positively.

" Prudence, you did no such thing ; you left her faint-

62

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

ing, and in that state she was found and carried to the
plague-pit."

The old woman stood silent for a moment, with a face
of intense horror, and then she clasped both hands with
a wild cry.

" Oh, my God ! and they buried her alive — buried her
alive—buried her alive in that dreadful plague-pit ? "

La Masque, leaning against a pillar, stood unmoved;
her voice, when she spoke, was as coldly sweet as modern
ice-cream.

" Not exactly. She was not buried at all, as I happen
to know. But when did you discover that she had the
plague, and how could she possibly have caught it ? "

"That I do not know, madame. She seemed well
enough all day, though not in such high spirits as a bride
should be. Towards evening she complained of a head-
ache and a feeling of faintness ; but I thought nothing of
it, and helped her to dress for the bridal. Before it was
over, the headache and faintness grew worse, and I gave
her wine, and still suspected nothing. The last time I
came in, she had grown so much worse, that notwith-
standing her wedding dress, she had lain down on her
bed, looking for all the world like a ghost, and told me
she had the most dreadful burning pain in her chest.
Then, madame, the horrid truth struck me — I tore down
had dress, and there, sure enough, was the awful mark of
the distemper. * You have the plague ! ' I shrieked ; and
then I fled down-stairs and out of the house, like one
crazy. Oh, madame, madame ! I shall never forget it —
It was terrible ! I shall never forget it ! Poor, poor
child ; and the count does not know a word of it ! "

La Masque laughed — a sweet, clear, deriding laugh.

" So the count does not know it, Prudence ? Poor
man ! he will be in aespair when he finds it out, won't
he? Such an ardent and devoted lover as he was, you
know 1 "

Prudence looked up, a little puzzled.

" Yes, madame, T til ink so. He seemed very fond of
her ; a great deal fonder than she ever was of him. The
fact is, madauH^," said Prud(5nc(^, lowering her voice to a
confidential stage whisper, " she never seemed fond of him

LA MASQUE.

63

at all, and wouldn't have been married, I think, if she
could have helped it."

" Could have helped it ? What do you mean. Pru-
dence ? Nobody made her, did they ? "

Prudence fidgeted, and looked rather uneasy.

" Why, madame, she Avas not exactly forced, perhaps ;
but you know — you know you told me "

" Well ? " said La Masque coldly.

" To do what I could," cried Prudence, in a sort of des-
peration ; " and I did it, madame, and harassed her about
it night and day. And then the count was there, too,
coaxing and entreating ; and he was handsome and had
such ways with him that no woman could resist, much
less one so little used to gentlemen as Leoline. And so,
Madame Masque, we kept at her till we got her to consent
to it at last ; but in her secret heart, I know she did not
want to be married — at least to the count," said Prudence,
on serious after- thought.

" Well, well, that's nothing to do with it. The question
is, where is she to be found ? "

" Found ! " echoed Prudence ; " has she, then, been
lost?"

" Of course she has, you old simpleton ! How could
she help it, and she dead, with no one to look after her ? "
said La Masque, with something like a half laugh " She
was carried off to the plague-pit in her bridal robes, jewels,
and lace ; and when about to be thrown in, was discovered,
like Moses in the bulrushes, to be all alive."

" Well," whispered Prudence, breathlessly.

"Well, oh, most courageous of guardians! she was
carried to a certain house, and left to her own devices,
while her gallant rescuer went for a doctor ; and when
they returned she was found missing. Our pretty
Leoline seems to have a strong fancy for getting
lost!"

There was a pause, during which Prudence looked at
her with a face full of mingled fear and curiosity. At
last:

"Madame, how did you know all this? Were you
there ? "

" No ! Not I, indeed ! What would take me there ? "

64

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Then how do you happen to know everything about
it?"

La Masque laughed.

" A little bird told me, Prudence ! Have you returned
to resume your old duties ? "

" Madame, I dare not go into that house again. I am
afraid of taking the plague."

" Prudence, you are a perfect idiot ! Are you not
liable to take the plague in the remotest quarter of this
plague-infested city ? And even if you do take it, what
odds ? You have only a few years to live, at the most,^
and what matter whether you die now or at the end of a
year or two ? "

" What matter ? " repeated Prudence, in a high key of
indignant amazement. " It may make no matter to you,
Madame Masque, but it makes a great deal to me, I can
tell you ; and into that infected house I'll not put one
foot."

" Just as you please, only in that case there is no use
for further talk, so allow me to bid you good-night ! "

" But, madame, what of Leoline ? Do stop one moment
and tell me of her."

" What have I to tell ? I have told you all I know. If
you want to find her, you must search in the city or in
the pest-house ! "

Prudence shuddered, and covered her face with a groan.

" Oh, my poor darling ! so good and so beautiful.
Heaven might surely have spared her ! Are you going
to do no tiling further about it ? "

" What can I do ? I have searched for her and have
]iot found her, and what else remains? "

" Madame, you know everytliing — surely, surely you
know where my poor little nursling is, among the
rest."

Again Jia jVrasque laughed — another of her low, sweet
derisive lauglis.

"Nf) such thing. Prudence. If T did I should have lier
here in a twinkling, depend upon it. However, it all
comes to the same tiling in the end. She is probably
dead by this time, and would liave to be buried in the
plague-pit anyhow. If you have notliing furtlKU' to say.

LA MASQUE.

65

Prudence, you liad better bid me good-night and let me
go."

" Good -night, madame ! " said Prudence, with a sort
of groan, as she Avrapped her cloak closely around her,
and turned to go.

La Masque stood for a moment looking after her, and
then placed a key in the lock of the door. But there is
many a slip — she was not fated to enter as soon as she
thought ; for just at that moment a new step sounded
behind her, a new voice pronounced her name, and, look-
ing around, she beheld Ormiston. With what feelings
that young person had listened to the neat and appro-
priate dialogue I have just had the pleasure of immortal-
izing, may be — to use a phrase you may have heard before,
once or twice — better imagined than described. He knew
very well who Leoline was, and how she had been saved
from the plague-pit ; but where in the world had La
Masque found it out. Lost in a maze of wonder, and in-
clined to doubt the evidence of his own tympanums, he
had stood perfectly still until his lady-love had so coolly
dismissed her company, and then rousing himself just
in time, he had come forward and accosted her. La
Masque turned round, regarded him in silence for a mo-
ment, and when she spoke, her voice had an accent of
mingled surprise and displeasure.

" You, Mr. Ormiston ; how many more times am I to
have the pleasure of seeing you again to-night ? "

" Pardon, madame ; it is the last time. But you must
hear me now."

" Must I ? Yery well, then ; if I must, you had better
begin at once, for the night- air is said to be unhealthy,
and as good people are scarce, I want to take care of my-
self."

" In that case, perhaps you had better let me enter, too.
I hate to talk on the street, for every wall has ears."

" I am aware of that. When I was talking to my old
friend. Prudence, two minutes ago, I saw a tall shape that
I have reason to know, since it haunts me, like my own
shadow, standing there and paying deep attention. I
hope vou found our conversation improving, Mr. Ormis-
ton ! "

66

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN".

" Madame ! " began Or mis ton, turning crimson.

" Oh, don't blush ; there is quite light enough from
yonder lamp to show that. Besides," added the lady,
easily, " I don't know as I had any objection ; you are
interested in Leoline, and must feel curious to know some-
thing about her."

" Madame, what must you think of me ? I have acted
so unpardonably."

" Oh, I know all that. There is no need to apologize,
and I don't think any the worse of you for it. Will you
come to business, Mr. Ormiston? I think I told you I
wanted to go in. What may you want of me at this dis-
mal hour ? "

"Oh, madame, need you ask? Does not your own
heart tell you ? "

" I am not aware that it does ! And to tell you the
truth, Mr. Ormiston, I don't know that I even have a
heart ! I am afraid I must trouble you to put it in words.'*

" Then, madame, I love you ! "

" Is that all ? If my memory serves me, you have told
me that little fact several times before. Is there anything
else tormenting you, or may I go in ? "

Ormiston groaned out an oath between his teeth, and
La Masque raised one jeweled, snowy, taper finger, re-
provingly.

" Don't, Mr. Ormiston — it's naughty, you know ! May
I go in ? "

" Madame, you are enough to drive a man mad. Is the
love I bear you worthy of nothing but mockery ? "

" No, Mr. Ormiston, it is not ; that is, supposing you
really love me, which you don't."

" Madame ! "

" Oh, you needn't flush and look indignant ; it is quite
true ! Don't be absurd, Mr. Ormiston. How is it pos-
si])le for you to love one you have never seen?"

"I have seen you. Do you think I am blind ? " lie de-
manded indignantly.

" My face, I mean. T don't consider that you can see a
persoii without looking in their face. Now you have
never lookcul in mine, and how do you know I have any
face at all?"

LA MASQUE.

67

« Madame, you mock me."
IS'ot at all. How are you to know what is behind this
mask?"

" I feel it, and that is better ; and I love you all the
same."

" Mr. Ormiston, how do you know but I am ugly ? "

"Madame, I do not believe you are; you are all too
perfect not to have a perfect face ; and even were it other-
wise, I still love you ! "

She broke into a laugh — one of her low, short, derid-
ing laughs.

" You do ! Oh, man, how wise thou art I I tell you, if
I took off this mask, the sight would curdle the very
blood in your veins with horror — would freeze the life-
blood in your heart. I tell you ! " she passionately cried,
" There are sights too horrible for human beings to look
on and live, and this — this is one of them ! "

He started back, and stared at her aghast.

" You think me mad," she said, in a less fierce tone,
" but I am not ; and I repeat it, Mr. Ormiston^ the sight
of what this mask conceals would blast you. Go now,
for Heaven's sake, and leave me in peace, to drag out the
rest of my miseral)le life ; and if ever you think of me, let
it be to pray that it may speedily end. You have forced
me to say this ; so now be content. Be merciful, and
go!"

She made a desperate gesture, and turned to leave him,
but he caught her hand and held her fast.

" JS^ever ! " he cried, fiercely. " Say what you will !
let that mask hide what it may ! I will never leave you
till life leaves me ! "

" Man, you are mad ! Release my hand and let me go I "

" Madame, hear me : There is but one way to prove my
love, and my sanity, and that is "

" Well ? " she said, almost touched by his earnestness.

" Raise your mask and try me ! Show me your face and
see if I do not love you still ! "

" Truly, I know how much love you will have for me
when it is revealed. Do you know that no one has looked
in my face for the last eight years."

He stood and gazed at her in wonder.

68

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" It is so, Mr. Ormistoii ; and in my heart I have vowed
a vow to plunge headlong into the most loathsome plague-
pit in London, rather than ever raise it again. My friend,
be satisfied. Go and leave me ; go and forget me."

"I can do neither until I have ceased to forget every-
thing earthly. Madame, I implore you, hear me ! "

"Mr. Ormiston, I tell you, you but court your own
doom. No one can look on me and live ! "

"I will risk it," he said, with an incredulous smile.
" Only promise to show me your face."

" Be it so, then ! " she cried, almost fiercely. " I prom-
ise, and be the consequences on your own head."

His whole face flushed with joy.

" I accept them. And when is that happy time to
come ? "

" Who knows ? What must be done, had best be done
quickly ; but I tell thee it were safer to play with the
lightning's chain than tamper with what thou art about
to do."

" I take the risk ! Will you raise your mask now ? "

" No, no — I cannot ! But yet, I may before the sun
rises. My face " — with bitter scorn — " shows better by
darkness than by daylight. Will you be out to see the
grand illumination ? "

" Most certainly."

" Then meet me here an hour after midnight, and the
face so long hidden shall be revealed. But, once again,
on the threshold of doom, I entreat you to ])ause."

" There is no such word for me ! " he fiercely and ex-
ultingly cried. "I have your promise, and I shall liold
you to it I And, madame, if, at Inst, you (Iiscomm- my
love is changeless as fate itself, then — then may I not
dare to ho])e foi' a return ? "

" Yes ; tluiii you m;iy li<)i)e," slu^said, with cold inocki^ry.
" If your love sui'vivcs that siglil, it will bo mighty, in-
(IfUid, and well worthy a retui-n."

" And you will return it V "

" 1 will.'^

" YoM will my wihi V "
" With all my liiiart! "

"My dailin^!" he ciied, rapturously — "For you aro

LA MASQUE. 69

mine already — how can I ever thank you for this ? If a
whole lifetime devoted and consecrated to your happiness
can repay you, it shall be yours."

During this rhapsody, her hand had been on the handle
of the door. Now she turned it.

" Good night, Mr. Ormiston," and vanished.

70

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER VII.

Shocks of joy, they tell me, seldom kill. Of my own
knowledge I cannot say, for I have had precious little ex-
perience of such shocks in my lifetime, Heaven knows ;
but in the present instance, I can safely aver, they had
no such dismal effect on Ormiston. Nothing earthly
could have given that young gentleman a greater shock
of joy than the knowledge he was to behold the long-
hidden face^of his idol. That that face was ugly, he did
not for an instant believe, or, at least, it never would be
ugly to him. With a form so perfect — a form a sylph
might have envied — a voice sweeter than the Singing
Fountain of Arabia, hands and feet the most perfectly
beautiful the sun ever shone on, it was simply a moral
and physical impossibility, then, they could be joined to
a repulsive face. There was a remote possibility that it
was a little less exquisite than those ravishing items, and
that her morbid fancy made her imagine it homely, com-
pared with them, but he knew he never would share in
that opinion. It was the reasoning of love — or, rather,
the logic, for when love glides smiling and dipping in at
tlie door, reason stalks gravely, not to say sulkily, out of
the window, and, standing afar off, eyes disdainfully the
didoes and antics of her late tenement. There Avas very
little reason, therefore, in Ormiston's head and heart, but
a great deal of something sweeter, joy — joy that thrilled
and vil)rat(Hl through every nerve within him. Leaning
against the poi'tal, in an absurd delirium of delight — for
it Uikes hut a trifle to jerk those lovers from the slimiest
depths of the Slough of Despond to the topmost peak of
the mountain of ecstasy — he uncovered his head, tliat the

THE EARL'S BARGE.

71

night-air might cool its feverish throbbings. But the
night-air was as hot as his heart ; and, almost suffocated
by the sultry closeness, he was about to start for a plunge
in the river, when the sound of coming footsteps and
voices arrested him. He had met with so many odd ad-
ventures to-night that he stopped now to see who was
coming, for on every hand all was silent and forsaken.
Footsteps and voices came closer ; two figures took shape
in the gloom, and emerged from the darkness into the
glimmering lamp-light. He recognized them both. One
was the Earl of Rochester ; the other, his dark-eyed,
handsome page — that strange page with the face of the
lost lady ! The earl was chatting familiarly, and laugh-
ing obstreperously at something or other, while the boy
merely wore a languid smile, as if anything further in
that line were quite beneath his dignity.

" Silence and solitude," said the earl, with a careless
glance around. "I protest, Hubert, this night seems
endless. How long is it until midnight ? "

"An hour and a half at the least, I should fancy,"
answered the boy, with a strong foreign accent. " I know
it struck ten as we passed St. Paul's."

" This grand bonfire of our most worshipful lord mayor
will be a sight worth seeing," remarked the earl. " When
all these piles are lighted, the city will be one sea of fire."

" A slight foretaste of what most of its inhabitants will
behold in another world," said the page, with a French
shrug. " I have heard Lilly's prediction that London is
to be purified by fire, like a second Sodom ; perhaps it is
to be verified to night."

" Not unlikely ; the dome of St. Paul's would be an ex-
cellent place to view the conflagration."

" The river will do almost as well, my lord."

" We will have a chance of knowing that presently,"
said the earl, as he and his page descended to the river,
where the little gilded barge lay moored and the boat-
man waiting.

As they passed from sight, Ormiston came forth, and
watched thoughtfully after tliein. The face and figure
were that of the lady, but the voice was different ; both
were clear and musical enough, but she spoke English

72

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

with the purest accent, while his was the voice of a
foreigner. It must have been one of those strange,
unaccountable likenesses we sometimes see among per-
fect strangers, but the resemblance in this case was some-
thing wonderful. It brought his thoughts back from
himself and his own fortunate love, to his violently-smit-
ten friend, Sir Norman, and his plague- stricken beloved ;
and he began speculating what he could possibly be about
just then, or what he had discovered in the old ruin. Sud-
denly he was aroused ; a moment before, the silence had
been almost oppressive, but now, on the wings of the
night, there came borne a shout. A tumult of voices and
footsteps were approaching. " Stop her ! stop her ! " was
cried by many voices ; and the next instant a fleet figure
went flying past him with a rush, and plunged head-
foremost into the river. A slight female figure, with
flowing robes of white, waving hair of deepest blackness,
and with a sparkle of jewels on neck and arms. Only
for one instant did he see it ; but he knew it well, and
his very heart stood still. " Stop her ! stop her ! she is
ill of the plague ! " shouted the crowd, pressing, panting
on ; but they came too late ; the white vision had went
down into the black, sluggish river, and disappeared.

"Who is it? What is it? Where is it?" cried two
or three watchmen, brandishing their halberts, and rush-
ing up ; and the crowd — a small mob of a dozen or so — •
answered all at once : " She is delirious with the plague ;
she was running through the streets ; we gave chase, but
she outstepped us, and is now at the bottom of the
Thames ! "

Ormiston waited to hear no more, but rushed pre-
cipitately down to the water's edge. The alarm had now
reached the boats on the river, and many eyes within
them were turned in the direction whence she had gone
down. Soon she reappeared on the dark surface — some-
thing whiter tlian snow, whiter than death, shining like
silver, shone the glittering dress and marble face of the
])ride. A small l)atteau lay close to where Ormiston
stood ; in two seconds he had shoved it ofl', sprung in,
and was rowing vigorously toward tliat snow-wreath iu
the inky riv(ir. J3ut lie was forestalled ; two hands, whito

THE EARL'S BARGE.

73

and jeweled as her own, reached over the edge of a gilded
barge, and with the help of the boatman, lifted her in.
Before she could be properly established on the cushioned
seats, the batteau was alongside, and Ormiston turned a
very white and excited face toward the Earl of Rochester.

" I know that lady, my lord ! She is a friend of mine,
and you must give her to me ! "

" Is it you, Ormiston ? Why, what brings you here
alone on the river at this hour ? "

" I have come for her," said Ormiston, pressing over to
lift the lady : " may I beg you to assist me, my lord, in
transferring her to my boat ? "

" You must wait till I see her first," said Rochester,
partly raising her head, and holding a lamp close to her
face ; " as I have picked her out, I think I deserve it.
Heavens ! what an extraordinary likeness ! "

The earl had glanced at the lady, then at his page,
again at the lady, and lastly at Ormiston, his handsome
countenance full of the most unmitigated wonder.

" To whom ? " asked Ormiston, Avho had very little need
to inquire.

" To Hubert, yonder. Why, don't you see it yourself ?
She might be his twin sister ! "

" She might be, but, as she is not, you will have the
goodness to let me take charge of her. She has escaped
from her friends, and I must bring her back to them."
He half-lifted her as he spoke ; and the boatman, glad
enough to get rid of one sick of the plague, helped her
into the batteau. The lady was not insensible, as might
be supposed, after her cold bath, but extremely wide-
awake, and gazing around her with her great, black, shin-
ing eyes. But she made no resistance ; either she was
too faint or frightened for that, and suffered herself to
be hoisted about, "passive to all changes." Ormiston
spread his cloak in the stern of the boat, and laid her
tenderly upon it, and though the beautiful, wistful eyes
were solemnly and unwinkingly fixed on his face, the
pale, sweet lips parted not — uttered never a word. The
wet bridal robes were drenched and dripping about her,
the long dark hair hung in saturated masses over her
neck and arms, and contrasted vividly with a face, Ormis-

74

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

ton thought, at once the whitest, most beautiful, and
most stone-like he had ever seen.

" Thank you, my man, thank you, my lord," said Ormis-
ton, preparing to push oif.

Rochester, who had been leaning from the barge, gaz-
ing in mingled curiosity, wonder and admiration at the
lovely face, turned now to his champion. ■

" Who is she, Ormiston ? " he said, persuasively.

But Ormiston only laughed, and rowed energetically
for the shore. The crowd was still lingering ; and half
a dozen hands were extended to draw the boat up to the
landing. He lifted the light form in his arms and bore
it from the boat ; but before he could proceed further
with his armful of beauty, a faint but imperious voice
spoke. " Please put me down. I am not a baby, and
can walk myself."

Ormiston was so surprised, or rather dismayed, by this
unexpected address, that he complied at once, and placed
her on her own pretty feet. But the young lady's sense
of propriety was a great deal stronger than her physical
powers ; and she swayed and tottered, and had to cling
to her unknown friend for support.

"You are scarcely strong enough, I am afraid, dear
lady," he said, kindly. " You had better let me carry you.
I assure you I am quite equal to it, or even a more mighty
burden, if necessity required."

" Thank you, sir," said the faint voice, faintly, " but I
would rather walk. Where are you taking me to? "

" To your own house, if you wish — it is quite close at
hand."

" Yes. Yes. Let us go there ! Prudence is there, and
she will take care of me."

" Will she ? " said Ormiston, doubtfully. " I hope you
do not suffer much pain ? "

"I do net suffer at all," she said, wearily ; "only I am
so tired. Oh, I wish I was liome ! "

Ormiston half led, lialf lifted her up the stairs.

" Y^ou are almost there, dear lady — see, it is close at
hand ! "

She lialf lifted her languid eyes, but did not speak.
Leaning panting on his arm, he drew her gently on until

THE EARL'S BARGE.

75

he reached her door. It was still unfastened, Prudence
had kept her word, and not gone near it ; and he opened
it, and helped her in.

" Where now ? " he asked.

" Up-stairs," she said, feebly. " I want to go to my
own room."

Ormiston knew where that was, and assisted her there
as tenderly as he could have done La Masque herself.
He paused on the threshold ; for the room was as dark
as Hades.

" There is a lamp and a tinder-box on the mantel," said
the faint, sweet voice, " if you will only please to find
them."

Ormiston crossed the room — fortunately he knew the
latitude of the place — and moving his hand with gingerly
precaution along the mantel- shelf, lest he should upset
any of the gimcracks thereon, soon obtained the articles
named, and struck a light. The lady was leaning wearily
against the door-post, but now she came forward, and
dropped exhausted into the downy pillows of a lounge.

" Is there anything I can do for you, madam ? " began
Ormiston, with as solicitous an air as though he had been
her father. " A glass of wine would be of use to you, I
think ; and then, if you wish, I will go for a doctor."

" You are very kind. You will find wine and glasses
in the room opposite this, and I feel so faint that I think
you had better bring me some."

Ormiston moved across the passage, like the good,
obedient young man that he was, filled a glass of Bur-
gundy, and as he was returning with it, was startled by /
a cry from the lady that nearly made him drop and shiver
it on the floor.

"What under heaven has come to her now?" he
thought, hastening in, wondering how she could possibly
have come to grief since he left her.

She was sitting upright on the sofa, her dress pulled
down ofl her shoulder where the plague-spot had been j
and which, to his amazement, he saw now pure and stain-
less, and free from every loathsome trace.

" You are cured of the plague ! " was all he could cry.

" ThanJi God ? " she exclaimed, fervently clasping her

76

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

hands. " But oh ! how can it have happened ? It must
be a miracle ! "

" No, it was your plunge into the river ; I have heard
of one or two such cases before, and if ever I take it," said
Ormiston, half laughing, half shuddering, " my first rush
shall be for old Father Thames. Here, drink this ; I am
certain it will complete the cure."

The girl — she was nothing but a girl — drank it off and
sat upright like one inspired with new life. As she set
down the glass, she lifted her dark, solemn, beautiful eyea
to his face, with a long, searching gaze.

" What is your name ? " she simply asked.

" Ormiston, madam," he said bowing low.

" You have saved my life, have you not ? "

" It was the Earl of Rochester who rescued you from
the river ; but I would have done it a moment later."

" I do not mean that. I mean " — with a slight shud-
der— " are you not one of those I saw at the plague-pit ?
Oh ! that dreadful, dreadful plague-pit ! " she cried, cover-
ing her face with her hands.

" Yes, I am one of those."

" And who was the other ? "

" My friend. Sir Norman Kingsley."

" Sir Norman Kingsley ? " she softly repeated, with a
sort of recognition in her voice and eyes, while a faint
roseate glow rose softly over her face and neck. Ah !
I thought — was it to his house or yours I was brought ?

" To his," replied Ormiston, looking at her curiously ;
for he had seen that rosy glow, and was extremely puz-
zled thereby ; "from whence, allow me to add, you took
your departure rather unceremoniously."

" Did I? " she said, in a bewildered sort of way. " It's
all like a dream to me. I remember Prudence screaming,
and telling me I had the ])lague, and the unutterable hor-
ror that filled me when I heard it ; and then the next
thing I re('()]l(^ct is being at tlu^ ])lague-pit, and seeing
your face and his Ix'nding over me. ^Vll tlie horror came
back witli that awakening, and between it and the anguish
of the plague-sorc I think I fainted again " (Oi niiston
nodded sagaciously), and wluiii I lu^xt recovered I wms
alone in a strange room, and in bed. 1 noticed that, tliougli

THE EARL'S BARGE.

77

I think I must have been delirious. And then, half-mad
with agony, I got out to the street, somehow, and ran,
and ran, and ran, until the people saw and followed me
here. I suppose I had some idea of reaching home when
I came here ; but the crowd pressed so close behind, and
I felt, through all my delirium, that they would bring me
to the pest-house if they caught me, and drowning seemed
to me preferable to that. So I was in the river before I
knew it — and you know the rest as well as I do. But I
owe you my life, Mr. Ormiston — owe it to you and another ;
and I thank you both with all my heart."

" Madam, you are too grateful ; and I don't know as we
have done anything much to deserve it."

" You have saved my life ; and though you may think
that a valueless trifle, not worth speaking of, I assure you
I view it in a very different light," she said, with a half
smile.

" Lady, your life is invaluable ; but as to our saving it,
why, you would not have us throw you alive into the
plague-pit, would you ? "

" It would have been rather barbarous, I confess ; but
there are few who would risk infection for the sake of a
mere stranger. Instead of doing as you did, you might
have sent me to the pest-house, you know."

" Oh, as to that, all your gratitude is due to Sir l^or-
man. He managed the whole affair, and what is more,
fell — but I will leave that for himself to disclose. Mean-
time, may I ask the name of the lady I have been so for-
tunate as to serve ? "

" Undoubtedly, sir — my name is Leoline."

" Leoline is only half a name."

" Then I am so unfortunate as only to possess half a
name, for I have never had any other."

Ormiston opened his eyes very wide, indeed.

" Xo other ! You must have had a father some time
in your life ; most people have," said the young gentle-
man, reflectively.

She shook her head a little sadly.

" I never had, that I know of, either father or mother,
or any one but Prudence. And by the way," sHe said,
half starting up, " the first thing to be done is to see about

78

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

this same Prudence. She must be somewhere in the
house."

" Prudence is nowhere in the house," said Ormiston,
quietly ; " and will not be, she says, for a month to come.
She is afraid of the plague."

" Is she '? " said Leoline, fixing her eyes on him with a
powerful glance. " How do you know that ? "

" I heard her say so not half an hour ago, to a lady a
few doors distant. Perhaps you know her — La Masque."

" That singular being ! I don't know her ; but I have
seen her often. Why was Prudence talking of me to her,
I wonder ? "

" That I do not know ; but talking of you she was, and
she said she was coming back here no more. Perhaps
you will be afraid to stay here alone ? "

" Oh no, I am used to being alone," she said, with a
little sigh ; " but where," hesitating and blushing vividly,
" where is — I mean I should like to thank Sir Norman
Kingsley."

Ormiston saw the blush and the eyes that drooped, and
it puzzled him again beyond measure.

" Do you know Sir Norman Kingsley ? " he suspiciously
asked.

" By sight I know many of the nobles of the court,"
she answered evasivelj^, and without looking up ; " they
pass here often, and Prudence knows them all, and so I
have learned to distinguish them by name and sight, your
friend among the rest."

" And you would like to see my friend ? " he said, with
a malicious emphasis.

" I would like to thank him," retorted the lady, with
some asperity ; " you have told me how much I owe him,
and it strikes me the desire is somewhat natural."

" Without doubt it is, and it will save Sir Norman
much fruitless labor ; for even now he is in search of you,
and will neither rest nor sleep until he finds you."

" In search of me?" slie said, softly, and with that rosy
glow again illuminating her beautiful face; "he is indeed
kind, and I am most anxious to thank him."

" I will l)ring liim here in two liours, then," said Ormis-
ton, with energy; "and though the hour may bo a little

THE EARL'S BARGE.

79

unseasonable, I hope you will not object to it ; for if you
do, he will certainly not survive until morning."

She gaily laughed, but her cheek was scarlet.

" Rather than that, Mr. Ormiston, I will even see him
to-night. You will find me here when you come."

" You will not run away again, will you ? " said Ormis-
ton looking at her doubtfully. " Excuse me ; but you
have a trick of doing that, you know."

Again she laughed merrily.

" I think you may safely trust me this time. Are you
going ? "

By way of reply, Ormiston took his hat and started for
the door. There he paused, with his hand upon it.

" How long have you known Sir ISTorman Kingsley ? "
was his careless artful question.

But Leoline, tapping one little foot on the floor, and
looking down at it with hot cheeks and humid eyes, an-
swered not a word.

80

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

When Sir Norman Kingsley entered the ancient ruin,
his head was full of Leoline — when he knelt down to look
through the aperture in the flagged floor, head and heart
Avere full of her still. But the moment his eyes fell on
the scene beneath, everything fled far from his thoughts,
Leoline among the rest; and nothing remained but a
profound and absorbing feeling of intensest amaze.

Right below him he beheld an immense room, of which
the flag he had raised seemed to form part of the ceiling,
in a remote corner. Evidently it was one of a range of
lower vaults, and as he was a.t least fourteen feet above
it, and his corner somewhat in shadow, there was little
danger of his being seen. So, leaning far down to look
at his leisure, he took the goods the gods provided him,
and stared to his heart's content.

Sir Norman had seen some queer sights during the
four-and-twent.y years he had spent in this queer world,
but never anything quite equal to this. The apartment
l)elow, though so exceedingly large, was lighted with tlie
brilliance of noonday ; and every object it contained, from
one end to the other, was distinctly revealed. The floor,
from glimpses he had of it in obscure corners, was of
stone : but from end to end it was covered with richest
j'ugs and mats, and s(iuares of velvet of as many colors
as Joseph's coat. Tlie walls were lunig Avith splendid
tai)(!stvy, gorgeous in silk and coloring, r(^[)resentiiig the
wars of Troy, the exploits of Cavaiv de Lion among the
iSaracens, tlie death of TTertiules, all on one side ; and on
the other, a more mo(l(U'n rc^presentation, the Field of the
Cloth of Gold. Tlu; illumination ])roceede(l from a range

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

81

of wax tapers in silver candelabra, that encircled the whole
room. The air was redolent of perfumes, and filled with
strains of softest and sweetest music from an unseen hand.
At one extremity of the room was a huge door of glass
and gilding ; and opposite it, at the other extremity, was
a glittering throne. It stood on a raised dais, covered
with crimson velvet, reached by two or three steps car-
peted with the same ; the throne was as magnificent as
gold, and satin, and ornamentation could make it. A
great velvet canopy of the same deep rich color, cut in
antique points, and heavily hung with gold fringe, was
above the seat of honor. Beside it, to the right, but a
little lower down, was a similar throne, somewhat less
superb, and minus a canopy. From the door to the throne
was a long strip of crimson velvet, edged and embroidered
with gold, and arranged in a sweeping semicircle; on
either side, were a row of great carved, gilded, and cush-
ioned chairs, brilliant, too, with crimson and gold, and
each, for everyday Christians, a throne in itself. What
between the blaze of illumination, the flashing of gilding
and gold, the tropical flush of crimson velvet, the rain-
bows dyes on floor and walls, the intoxicating gushes of
perfume, and the delicious strains of unseen music, it is no
wonder Sir Norman Kingsley's head was spinning like a
bewildered teetotum.

Was he sane — was he sleeping? Had he drank too
much wine at the Golden Crown, and had it all gone to
his head? Was it a scene of eastern enchantment, or
were fairy-tales true, and no myth ? Like Abou Hassan,
when he awoke in the palace of the facetious Caliph of
Bagdad, he had no notion of believing his own eyes and
ears, and quietly concluded it was all an optical illusion,
as ghosts are said to be ; but he quietly resolved to stay
there, nevertheless, and see how the dazzling phantas-
magoria would end; The music was certainly ravishing^
and it seemed to him, as he listened with enchanted ears,
that he never wanted to wake up from so heavenly a
dream. One thing struck him as rather odd ; strange and
bewildering as everything was, it did not seem at all
strange to him, on the contrary, a vague idea was floating
mistily through his mind that he had beheld precisely the

82

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

same thing somewhere before. Probably at some past
period of his life he had underwent a similar vision, or
had seen a picture somewhere like it in a tale of magic,
and satisfying himself with this conclusion, he began
wondering if the genii of the place were going to make
their appearance at all, or if the knowledge that human
eyes were upon them had scared them back to Erebus.
While still ruminating on this important question, a por-
tion of the ta]3estry, almost beneath him, shriveled up
and up, and out flocked a glittering throng, with a musi-
cal mingling of laughter and voices. Still they came,
more and more, until the great room was almost filled,
and a dazzling throng they were. Sir Norman had min-
gled in many a brilliant scene at Whitehall, where the
gorgeous court of Charles shone in all its splendor, with
the " merry monarch " at their head, but all he had ever
witnessed at the king's court fell far short of this pageant.
Half the brilliant flock were ladies, superb in satins, silks,
velvets and jewels. And such jewels ! every gem that
ever flashed back the sunlight sparkled and blazed in
blending array on those beautiful bosoms and arms —
diamonds, pearls, opals, emeralds, rubies, garnets, sap-
phires, amethysts — every jewel that ever shone. But
neither dresses nor gems were half so superb as the peer-
less forms they adorned ; and such an array of perfectly
beautiful faces, from purest blond to brightest brunette,
had never met and mingled together before, Each lovely
face was unmasked, but Sir Norman's dazzled eyes in
vain sought among them for one he knew. " All that
rosebud garden of girls " were perfect strangers to him,
but not to the gallants who fluttered among them like
moths around meteors. They, too, were in gorgeous array,
in purple and fine linen, which being interpreted, signifieth
in silken hose of every color under the sun, spangled and
embroidered slippers radiant with diamond buckles, doub-
lets of as many (illfcircnt shades as their tights, slashed
with satin and cMubroidcu'od with gold. Most of them
wore huge jjowdcred Avigs, according to the hideous
fasliion then iu vogue, and under those same ugly scalps,
lauglied many a liandsome face Sir Norman well knew.
''J'he majority of tliose richly-robed gallants were strangers

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

83

to him as well as the ladies, but whoever they were,
whether mortal men or " spirits from the vasty deep,"
they were in the tallest sort of clover just then. Evi-
dently, they knew it, too, and seemed to be on the best
of terms with themselves and all the world, and laughed,
and flirted, and flattered, with as much perfection as so
many ball-room Apollos of the present day. Still no one
ascended the golden and crimson throne, though many
of the ladies and gentlemen fluttering about it were
arrayed as royally as any common king or queen need
wish to be. They promenaded up and down, arm in arm ;
they seated themselves in the carved and gilded chairs ;
they gathered in little groups to talk and laugh; did
everything in short, but ascend the throne ; and the
solitary spectator up above began to grow intensely
curious to know who it was for. Their conversation he
could plainly hear, and to say that it amazed him would
be to use a feeble expression, altogether inadequate to his
feelings. Not that it was the remarks they made that
gave his system such a shock, but the names by which
they addressed each other. One answered to the aspiring
cognomen of the Duke of Northumberland ; another was
the Earl of Leicester ; another, the Duke of Devonshire ;
another, the Earl of Clarendon; another, the Duke of
Buckingham ; and so on, ad infi^iitum^ dukes and earls
alternately, like bricks and mortar in the wall of a house.
There were other dignitaries besides, some that Sir Nor-
man had a faint recollection of hearing were dead for
some years — Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Thomas More, the
Earl of Both well. King Henry Darnley, Sir Walter Raleigh,
the Duke of Norfork, the Earl of Southampton, the Duke
of York, and no end of others with equally sonorous titles.
As for mere lords, and baronets, and such small deer,
there was nothing so plebeian present, and were evidently
looked upon by the distinguished assembly, like small
beer in thunder, with pity and contempt. The ladies,
too, were all duchesses, marchionesses, countesses, and
looked fit for princesses. Sir Norman thought, though he
heard none of them styled quite so high as that. The
tone of conversation was light and easy, but at the same
time extremely ceremonious and courtly, and everybody

S4:

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

seemed to be enjoying themselves in the most delightful
sort of way, which people of such distinguished rank, I
am told, seldom do. All went merry as a marriage-bell,
and sweetly over the gay jingle of voices rose the sweet,
faint strains of the unseen music.

Suddenly all was changed. The great door of glass
and gilding opposite the throne was flung wide, and a
grand usher in a grand court livery flourished a mighty
grand wand, and shouted, in a stentorian voice :

" Back ; back, ye lieges, and make way for Her Majesty,
Queen Miranda ! "

Instantly the unseen band thundered forth the national
anthem. The splendid throng fell back on either hand
in profoundest silence and expectation. The grand usher
mysteriously disappeared, and in his place there stalked
forward a score of soldiers, with clanking swords and
fierce mustaches, in the gorgeous uniform of the king's
body-guard. These showy warriors arranged themselves
silently on either side of the crimson thrones, and were
followed by half a dozen dazzling personages, the fore-
most crowned with a miter, armed with crozier, and robed
in the ecclesiastical glory of an arch-bishop, but the face
underneath, to the deep surprise and scandal of Sir Nor-
man, was that of the fastest young roue of Charles' court ;
after him came another pompous dignitary in such un-
heard-of magnificence that the unseen looker-on set him
down for a prime minister, or a lord high chancellor at
the very least. The somewhat gaudy-looking gentlemen
who stepped after the pious prelate and peer, wore the
stars and garters of foreign courts, and were evidently
ambassadors extraordinary to that of her midnight ma-
jesty. After them came a snowy fiock of fair young girls,
angels but the wings, slender as sylphs, and robed in
purest white. Each bore on her arm a basket of flowers,
I'oses and rosebuds of every tint, from snowy Avliitc to
darkest crimson, and as they floated in tlu^y scnMcred
thorn lightly as they went. And ihvn allrr all camo
another vision, " tlie last, the brightest, tlu^ best" — the
Midnight Queen herself. One otluu- figure followed her,
and as they enter(;(l, a shout arose from the wliolo as-
semblage : " Long live Queen Miranda I " And bowing

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

85

gracefully and easily to the right and left, the queen, with
a queenly step trod the long crimson carpet and mounted
the regal throne.

From the first moment of his looking down. Sir Nor-
man had been staring with all the eyes in his head, under-
going one shock of surprise after another with the equa-
nimity of a man quite used to it ; but now a cry arose to
his lips and died there in voiceless consternation. For
he recognized the queen — well he might I — he had seen
her before, and her face was the face of Leoline ! A&
she mounted the stairs, she stood there for a moment
crowned and sceptered, before sitting down, and in that
moment he recognized the whole scene. That gorgeous
room, and its gorgeous inmates ; that regal throne and
its regal owner, all became palpable as the sun at noon-
day ; that slender, exquisite figure robed in royal purple
and ermine ; the uncovered neck and arms, snowy and
perfect, ablaze with jewels ; that lovely face, like snow,
like marble in its whiteness and calm, with the great,
dark, earnest eyes looking out, and the waving wealth of
hair falling around it. It was the very scene, and room,
and vision, that La Masque had shown him in the cal-
dron and that face was the face of Leoline, and the earl's
page. Could he be dreaming ? was he sane or mad, or
were the three really one ? While he looked, the beautiful
queen bowed low, and amid the profoundest and most
respectful silence, took her seat. In her robes of purple,
wearing the glittering crown, scepter in hand, throned and
canopied, royally beautiful she looked indeed, and a most
vivid contrast to the gentleman near her, seated very
much at his ease, on the lower throne. The contrast was
- not of dress — for his outward man was resplendent to look
at ; but in figure and face, in grace and dignity, he was
a very mean specimen of the lords of creation, indeed. In
stature, he scarcely reached to the queen's royal shoulder,
but made up sideways what he wanted in length — being^
the breadth of two common men ; his head was in pro-
portion to his width, and was decorated with a wig of
long, flowing, flaxen hair, that scarcely harmonized with
a profusion of the article, whiskers, in hue most unmiti-
gated black ; his eyes were small, keen, bright and pierc-

86

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

ing, and glared on the assembled company as they had
done half an hour before on Sir Norman Kingsley, in the
bar-room of the Golden Crown ; for the royal little man
was no other than Caliban, the dwarf. Behind the thrones
the flock of floral angels grouped themselves ; archbishop,
prime minister, and ambassadors, took their stand within
the lines of the soldiery, and the music softly and impres-
sively died away in the distance ; dead silence reigned.

" My lord duke," began the queen, in the very voice he
had heard at the plague-pit, as she turned to the stylish
individual next the archbishop, " come forward and read
us the roll of mortality since our last meeting."

His grace, the duke, instantly stepped forward, bowing
so low that nothing was seen of him for a brief space, but
the small of his back, and when he reared himself up,
after this convulsion of nature, Sir Norman beheld a face
not entirely new to him. At first, he could not imagine
where he had seen it but speedily he recollected it was
the identical face of the highwayman who had beaten an
inglorious retreat from him and Count L'Estrange that
very night. This ducal robber drew forth a roll of parch-
ment, and began reading, in lachrymose tones, a select
litany of defunct gentlemen, with hifalutin titles, who
had departed this life during the present week. Most of
them had gone with the plague, but a few had died from
natural causes, and among these were the Earls of Craven
and Ashley.

" My lords Craven and Ashley dead ! " exclaimed the
queen, in tones of some surprise, but very little anguish ;
" that is singular, for we saw them not two hours ago, in
excellent health and spirits."

"True, your majesty," said the duke, dolefully, "and
it is not an hour since , they quitted this vale of tears.
They and myself rode forth at nightfall, according to
custom, to lay your majesty's tax on all travelers, and
soon clianced to encounter one Avho gave vigorous battle ;
still, it would have done liim little service, had not
another person come suddenly to his aid, and between
them they clove the skulls of Ashley and Craven; and I,
said the duke, modestly, " I left."

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN^.

87

" Were either of the travelers young, tall, and of courtly
bearing ? " exclaimed the dwarf, with sharp rudeness.

" Both were, your highness," replied the duke, bowing
to the small speaker, " and uncommonly handy with their
weapons."

" I saw one of them down at the Golden Crown not
long ago," said the dwarf ; " a forward young popinjay,
and mighty inquisitive about this, our royal palace. I
promised him if he came here a warm reception — a promise
I will have the greatest pleasure in fulfilling."

" You may stand aside, my lord duke," said the queen,
with a graceful wave of her hand, " and if any new sub-
jects have been added to our court since our last weekly
meeting, let them come forward and be sworn."

A dozen or more courtiers immediately stepped forward,
and kneeling before the queen, announced their name and
rank, which were both ambitiously high. A few silvery-
toned questions were put by that royal lady, and satis-
factorily answered, and then the archbishop, armed with
a huge tome, administered a severe and searching oath,
which the candidates took with a great deal of sang froid^
and were then permitted to kiss the hand of the queen —
a privilege worth any amount of swearing — and retire.

" Let any one who has any reports to make, make them
immediately," again commanded her majesty.

A number of gentlemen of high rank, presented them-
selves at this summons, and began relating, as a certain
sect of Christians do in church, their experience ! Many
of these consisted, to the deep disapproval of Sir Norman,
of accounts of daring highway robberies, one of them per-
petrated on the king himself, which distinguished per-
sonage the duplicate of Leoline styled "our brother
Charles," and of the sums thereby attained. The treas-
urer of state was then ordered to show himself, and give
an account of the said moneys, which he promptly did ;
and after him came a number of petitioners, praying
for one thing and the other, some of which the queen
promised to grant, and some she didn't. These little
affairs of state being over, Miranda turned to the little
gentleman beside her, with the observation :

" I believe, your highness, it is on this night the Earl

SS THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

of Gloucester is to be tried on a charge of high treason,
is it not?"

His highness growled a respectful assent.

" Then let him be brought before us," said the queen.
" Go, guards, and fetch him."

Two of the soldiers bowed low, and backed from the
royal presence, amid dead and ominous silence. At this
interesting stage of the proceedings, as Sir Norman was
leaning forward, breathless and excited, a footstep sounded
on the flagged floor beside him, and some one suddenly
grasped his shoulder with no gentle hand.

LEOLINE.

89

CHAPTER IX.

LEOLINE.

In one instant Sir Norman was on his feet, and his
hand on his sword. In the tarry darkness, neither the
face nor figure of the intruder could be made out, but he
merely saw a darker shadow beside him standing in the
sea of darkness. Perhaps he might have thought it a
ghost, but that the hand which grasped his shoulder was
immistakably of flesh, and blood, and muscle, and the
breathing of its owner was distinctly audible by his side.

" Who are you ? " demanded Sir Norman, drawing out
his sword, and wrenching himself free from his unseen
companion.

" Ah ! it is you, is it ? I thought so," said a not un-
known voice. " I have been calling you till I am hoarse,
and at last gave it up, and started after you in despair.
What are you doing here ? "

" You, Ormiston ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, in the last
degree astonished. " How — when — what are you doing
here?"

" What are you doing here ? that's more to the purpose.
Down flat on your face, with your head stuck through
that hole. What is below there, anyway ? "

"Never mind," said Sir Norman, hastily, who, for
some reason quite unaccountable to himself, did not wish
Ormiston to see. " There's nothing there in particular,
but a lower range of vaults. Do you intend telling me
what has brought you here ? "

" Certainly ; the very fleetest horse I could find in the
city."

" Pshaw ! You don't say so ? " exclaimed Sir Norman,
incredulously. " But I presume you had some object in

90

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEIST.

taking such a gallop ? May I ask what ? Your anxious
solicitude on my account, very likely ? "

"Not precisely. But I say, Kingsley, what light is
that shining through there ? I mean to see."

" No, you won't," said Sir Norman, rapidly and noise-
lessly replacing the flag. " It's nothing, I tell you, but a
number of will- o'- wisps having a ball. Finally, and for
the last time, Mr. Ormiston, will you have the goodness
to tell me what has sent you here ? "

" Come out to the air, then. I have no fancy for talk-
ing in this place ; it smells like a tomb."

" There is nothing wrong, I hope ? " inquired Sir Nor-
man, following his friend, and threading his way gingerly
through the piles of rubbish in the profound darkness.

" Nothing wrong, but everything extremely right. Con-
found this place ! It would be easier walking on live
eels than through these winding and lumbered passages.
Thank the fates, we are through them, at last, for there
is the daylight, or, rather the night-light, and we have
escaped without any bones broken."

They had reached the moldering and crumbling door-
way, shown by a square of lighter darkness, and ex-
changed the damp, chill atmosphere of the vaults for the
stagnant, sultry open air. Sir Norman, with a notion in
his head that his dwarfish highness might have placed
sentinels around his royal residence, endeavored to pierce
the gloom in search of them. Though he could discover
none, he still thought discretion the better part of valor,
and stepped out into the road.

" Now, then, where are you going ? " inquired Ormiston,
following him.

" I don't wisli to talk here ; there is no telling who
may be listcniing. Cbme along."

Ormiston glaiK^ed l);ick at the gloomy ruin looming up
like i\, bla(;k si)(u;t(U' in the bincknc'ss.

" Well, tli(;y must have a strong fiuu^y for eavesdro})-
j)i)ig, I must say, who would go to tliat h;united lieap to
liKt(^n. What ]iav(^ you seen there, and where luvve you
left your horse V "

" I told you h( roic," said Sii* NoiMunn, r;ither impatiently,
"that I have seen nothing -at least nodiiug you would

LEOLINE.

91

care about ; and my horse is waiting me at the Golden
Crown."

" Very well, we have no time to lose ; so get there as
fast as you can, and mount him and ride as if the demon
was after you back to London."

" Back to London ? Is the man crazy ? I shall do no
such thing, let me tell you, to-night."

" Oh, just as you please," said Ormiston, with a great
deal of indifference, considering the urgent nature of his
former request. " You can do as you like, you know,
and so can I — which, translated, means, I will go and tell
her you have declined to come."

" Tell her ? Tell who ? What are you talking about ?
Hang it, man ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, getting somewhat
excited and profane. " What are you driving at ? Can't
you speak out and tell me at once ? "

" I have told you ! " said Ormiston, testily ; " and I tell
you again, she sent me in search of you, and if you don't
choose to come, that's your own affair, and not mine."

This was a little too much for Sir ISTorman's over-
wrought feelings, and in the last degree of exasperation,
he laid violent hands on the collar of Ormiston's doublet,
and shook him as if he would have shaken the name out
with a jerk.

" I tell you what it is, Ormiston, you had better not
aggravate me ! I can stand a good deal, but I'm not ex-
actly Moses or Job, and you had better mind what you're
at. If you don't come to the point at once, and tell me
who 'her ' is, I'll throttle you where you staud ; and so
give you warning."

Half-indignant, and wholly laughing, Ormiston stepped
back out of the way of his excited friend.

" I cry you mercy ! In one word, then, I have been
dispatched by a lady in search of you, and that lady is —
Leoline."

It has always been one of the inscrutable mysteries in
natural philosophy that I never could fathom, why men
do not faint. Certain it is, I never yet heard of a man
swooning from excess of surprise or joy, and perhaps that
may account for Sir Norman's not doing so on the present
occasion. But he came to an abrupt stand-still in their

92

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

rapid career ; and if it had not been quite so excessively
dark, his friend would have beheld a countenance won-
derful to look on, in its mixtui'e of utter astonishment
and sublime consternation.

" Leoline ! " he faintly gasped. " Just stop a moment,
Ormiston, and say that again — will you ? "

" No," said Ormiston, hurrying unconcernedly on ; "I
shall do no such thing, for there is no time to lose, and if
there was, I have no fancy for standing in this dismal
road. Come on, man, and I'll tell you as we go."

Thus adjured, and seeing there was no help for it. Sir
Norman, in a dazed and bewildered state, complied ; and
Ormiston promptly and briskly relaxed into business.

" You see, my dear fellow, to begin at the beginning,
after you left, I stood at ease at La Masque's door await-
ing that lady's return, and was presently rewarded by
seeing her come up with an old woman called Prudence.
Do you recollect the woman who rushed screaming out
of the house of the dead bride ? "

" Yes, yes ! "

" Well, that was Prudence. She and La Masque were
talking so earnestly they did not perceive me, and I —
well, the fact is, Kingsley, I stayed and listened. Not a
very handsome thing, perhaps, but I couldn't resist it.
They were talking of some one they called Leoline, and
I, in a moment, knew that it was your flame, and that
neither of them knew any more of her whereabouts than
we did."

" And yet La Masque told me to come hei'e in search
of her," interi'uptiHl Sir Norman.

"Vei-y IriK^! That was odd — wasn't it? This Pru-
dence, it a|>|H ars, was L(M)lino's nurse, and La Masque,
too, seemed (o liav(^ a (Hiitain authority over her; and
b(5tvv(;(;n tliciii, I h'ai-ncd slie Avas (o Ikivo boi^u married
this V(!ry niglit, iiiid died — or, at least., Priidciux^ thought
so - an liour or two Ix^fore ihi) time."

" 'IMuin sh(; was not niai ricul ? " cried Sir Norman, in an
(M'st^asy of delight..

" Not, a hit of it,; and whaX is mor(^, didift. want, to ln\ ;
and judging from t,h(^ I'emarks of ri'ud(Mice, I slionhl say,
rath(;r iMcfciri'ed the ])lagn(i of iho two."

LEOLINE.

93

" Then why was she going to do it ? You don't mean
to say she was forced ? "

" Ah, but I do, though ! Prudence owned it Avith the
most charming candor in the world."

" Did you hear the name of the person she was to have
married ? " asked Sir Norman, with kindling eyes.
: " I think not ; they called him the count, if my memory
serves me, and Prudence intimated that he knew nothing
of the melancholy fate of Mistress Leoline. Most likely
it was the person in the cloak and slouched hat we saw
talking to the watchman."

Sir Norman said nothing, but he thought a good deal,
and the burden of his thoughts was an ardent and heart-
felt wish that the Count L'Estrange was once more under
the swords of the three robbers, and waiting for him to
ride to the rescue — that was all !

" La Masque urged Prudence to go back," continued
Ormiston ; " but Prudence respectfully declined, and
went her way bemoaning the fate of her darling. When
she was gone, I stepped up to Madame Masque, and that
lady's first words of greeting were an earnest hope that
I had been edified and improved by what I had over-
heard."

" She saw you, then ? " said Sir Norman.

" Saw me ? I believe you ! She has more eyes than
ever Argus had, and each one is as shar*p as a cambric
needle. Of course I apologized, and so on, and she for-
gave me handsomely, and then we fell to discoursing —
need I tell you on what subject ? "

" Love, of course," said Sir Norman.

" Yes, mingled with entreaties to take off her mask
that would have moved a heart of stone. It moved what
was better — the heart of La Masque ; and, Kingsley, she
has consented to do it ; and she says that if, after seeing
her face, I still love her, she will be my wife."

" Is it possible ? My dear Ormiston, I congratulate you '
with all my heart ! "

" Thank you ! After that she left me, and I Avalked
away in such a frenzy of delight that I couldn't have told
whether I was treading this earth or the shining shores
of the seventh heaven, when suddenly there flew past me

94 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

a figure all in white — the figure of a bride, Kingsley, pur-
sued by an excited mob. We were both near the river,
and the first thing I knew, she was plump into it, with
the crowd behind, yelling to stop her, that she was ill of
the plague."

" Great Heaven ! and was she drowned ? "

" No ; though that was not her fault. The Earl of
Rochester and his page — you remember that page, I fancy
— were out in their barge, and the earl picked her up.
Then I got a boat, set out after her, claimed her — for I
recognized her, of course — brought her ashore, and de-
posited her safe and sound in her own house. What do
you think of that ? "

" Ormiston," said Sir Norman, catching him by the
shoulder, with a very excited face, " is this true ? "

" True as preaching, Kingsley, every word of it ! And
the most extraordinary part of the business is, that her
dip in cold water has effectually cured her of the plague ;
not a trace of it remains."

Sir Norman dropped his hand, and walked on, staring
straight before him, perfectly speechless. In fact, no
known language in the world could have done justice to
his feelings at that precise period ; for three times that
night, in three different shapes, had he seen this same
Leoline, and at the same moment he was watching her
decked out in royal state in the ruin, Ormiston had prob-
ably been assisting her from her cold bath in the river
Thames. Astonishment and consternation are words alto-
gether too feeble to express his state of mind ; but one
idea rem.ained clear and bright amid all his mental chaos,
and that was, that the Leoline lie had fallcMi in Ionc Avith
dead, was awaiting liiiii, alive and avc^II, in London.

" W(ill," said Ormiston, " you don't sjx^ilv ! >\'liat do
you think of all this?"

" 'Iliink ! T can't think — I've got i^ast that long ago 1 "
r('[)li('(l his fri(Mid, h()])elessly. " Did you really say Leo-
liiK! was alivc! and well V "

" And waiting for yon yes, T did, and I reju^at it; and
tlui H()on(ir yon get l>a,ck to town, the sooner you will see
her ; so don't loiter."

LEOLIKE.

95

" Ormiston, what do you mean ? Is it possible I can
see her to-night ? "

" Yes, it is ; the dear creature is waiting for you even
now. You see, after we got to the house, and she had
consented to come to a trifle, mutual .explanations ensued,
by which it appeared she had run away from Sir Norman
Kingsley's in a state of frenzy, had jumped into the river
in a similar excited state of mind, and was most anxious
to go down on her pretty knees and thank the aforesaid
Sir Norman for saving her life. What could any one
as gallant as myself do under these circumstances, but
offer to set forth in quest of that gentleman ? And she
promptly consented to sit up and wait his coming, and
dismissed me with her blessing, And, Kingsley, I've a
private notion she is as deeply affected by you as you are
by her ; for, when I mentioned your name, she blushed,
yea, verily to the roots of her hair ; and when she spoke
of you, couldn't so much as look me in the face — which
is, you must own, a very bad symptom."

" Nonsense ! " said Sir Norman, energetically. • And
had it been daylight, his friend would have seen that he
blushed almost as extensively as the lady. " She doesn't
know me."

" Ah, doesn't she, though ? That shows all you know
about it ! She has seen you go past the window many
and many a time ; and to see you," said Ormiston, mak-
ing a grimace under cover of the darkness, " is to love !
She told me so herself."

" What ? That she loved me ? " exclaimed Sir Norman,
his notions of propriety to the last degree shocked by
such a revelation.

"Not altogether, she only looked that; but she said
she knew you well by sight, and by heart, too, as I in-
ferred from her countenance when she said it. There,
now, don't make me talk any more, for I have told you
everything I know, and am about hoarse with my exer-
tions."

" One thing only — did she tell you who she was ? "

" No, except that her name was Leoline, and nothing
else — which struck me as being slightly impossible.
Doubtless she will tell you everything, and one piece of

96

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

advice I may venture to give you, which is, you may
propose as soon as you like, without fear of rejection.
Here we are at the Golden Crown, so go in and get your
horse, and let us be off."

All this time Ormiston had been leading his own horse
by the bridle, and as Sir Norman silently complied with
his suggestion, in five minutes they were in their saddles,
and galloping at break-neck speed toward the city. To
tell the truth, one was not more inclined for silence than
the other, and the profoundest and thoughtfulest silence
was maintained till they reached it. One was thinking
of Leoline, the other of La Masque, and both were very
badly in love, and just at that particular moment, very
happy. Of course, the happiness of people in that state
never lasts longer than half an hour at a stretch, and
then they are plunged back again into misery and dis-
traction ; but while it does last, it is very intense and
delightful indeed.

Our two friends, having drained the bitters, had got to
the sugar at the bottom of the cup, and neither knew that
no sooner were the sweets swallowed, than it was to be
replenished with a doubly-bitter dose. Neither o# them
dismounted till they reached the house of Leoline, and
there Sir Norman secured his horse, and looked up at it
with a beating heart. Not that it was very unusual for
his heart to beat, seeing it never did anything else ; but
on that occasion its motion was so much accelerated, that
any doctor feeling his pulse might have justly set him
down as a bad case of heart-disease. A small, bright ray
of light streamed like a beacon of hope from aii upp(^r
window, and the lover looked at it as a clouded mariner
might at tlie sliining of the North Star.

"Are you coining in, Ormiston V" lie iiujuircd, feeling,
for the lirst tinu^ in his life, iihnost bashful. "II seems
lo nu; it would only he right, you know."

" I don't mind going in and introducing you," said
Orinisl-on ; "but alter you have Ixhmi delivered o\c'r, you
may light youi- own haitl(\s, and taki^ care of yourself.
( 'onui on."

The dooi- was unfastened, and Ormiston sprung up-
.stairs with the air of a man (juite at home, followed more

LEOLINE.

97

decorously by Sir Norman. The door of the lady's room
stood ajar, as he had left it, and in answer to his " tapping
at the chamber-door," a sweet female voice called, " Come
in."

Ormiston promptly obeyed, and the next instant they
were in the room, and in the presence of the dead bride.
Certainly she did not look dead, but very much alive,
just then, as she sat in an easy-chair, drawn up before
the dressing-table, on which stood the solitary lamp that
illumed the chamber. In one hand she held a small
mirror, or, as it was then called, a " sprunking-glass," in
which she was contemplating her own beauty, with as
much satisfaction as any other pretty girl might justly
do. She had changed her drenched dress during Ormis-
ton's absence, and now sat arrayed in a swelling ampli-
tude of rose-colored satin, her dark hair clasped and bound
by a circle of milk-white pearls, and her pale, beautiful
face looking ten degrees more beautiful than ever, in con-
trast Avitli the bright rose- silk, shining dark hair, and rich
white jew^els. She rose up as they entered, and came
forw^ard wdth the same glow in her face and the same
light in her eyes that one of them had seen before, and
stood with drooping eyelashes, lovely as a vision, in the
center of the room.

" You see I have lost no time in obeying your lady-
ship's commands," began Ormiston, boAving low. "Mis-
tress Leoline, allow me to present Sir Norman Kingsley."

Sir Norman Kingsley bent almost as iDrofoundly before
the lady as the lord high chancellor had done before
Queen Miranda ; and the lady courtesied, in return, until
her pink satin skirt ballooned out all over the floor. It
w^as quite an affecting tableau. And so Ormiston felt
as he stood eying it with preternatural gravity.

"I owe my life to Sir Norman Kingsley," murmured
the faint, sweet voice of the lady, " and could not rest
until I had thanked him. I have no words to say how
deeply thankful and grateful I am."

" Fairest Leoline ! one word from such lips would be
enough to repay me, had I done a thousand-fold more,"
responded Sir Norman, laying his hand on his heart, with
another deep genuflection.

98

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Very pretty, indeed ! " remarked Ormiston to himself
with a little approving nod ; " but I'm afraid they won't
be able to keep it up, and go on talking on stilts like that,
till they have finished. Perhaps they may get on all the
the better if I take myself off, three being always one
too many in a case like this." Then, aloud : " Madam, I
regret that I am obliged to depart, having a most par-
ticular appointment ; but, doubtless, my friend will be
able to express himself without my assistance. I have
the honor to wish you both good night."

With which neat and appropriate speech, Ormiston
bowed himself out, and was gone before Leoline could
detain him, even if she wished to do so ! Probably, how-
ever, she thought the care of one gentleman sufiicient
responsibility at once ; for she did not look very seriously
distressed by his departure ; and, the moment he disap-
peared, Sir Norman brightened up wonderfully. It is
very discomposing to the feelings to make love in the
presence of a third party ; and Sir Norman had no
intention of wasting his time on anything, and went at
it immediately. Taking her hand, with a grace that
would have beaten Sir Charles Grandison or Lord Ches-
terfield all to nothing, he led her to a couch, and took a
seat as near her as was at all polite or proper, consider-
ing the brief nature of their acquaintance. The curtains
were drawn ; the lamp shed a faint light ; the house was
still, and there was no intrusive papa to pounce down
upon them ; the lady was looking down, and seemed in no
way haughty or discouraging, and Sir Norman's spirits
went up with a jump to boiling-point. Yet the lady,
with all her pretty bashf ulness, was the first to speak.

"I am afraid, Sir Norman, you must think this a
singular hour to come liere ; but, in these dreadful times,
we cannot tell if we may live from one moment to another,
and I should not like to die, or have you die, without my
telling, and you hearing, all my gratitude. For I do
assure you. Sir Norman," lifting her dark eyes with the
prettiest and most bewitching earnestness, " that I am
grateful, though I cannot find words to express it."

"Madam, I would not listen to you if you would, for I
have done nothing to deserve thanks. I wish I could

LEOLINE.

99

tell you what I felt when Ormiston told me you were
alive and safe."

" You are very kind ; but pray do not call me madam.
Say Leoline."

« A thousand thanks, dear Leoline ! " exclaimed Sir
Norman, raising her hand to his lips, and quite beside
himself with ecstasy.

« Ah, I did not tell you to say that ! " she cried, with a
gay laugh and vivid blush. " I never said you were to
call me dear."

" It arose from my heart to my lips," said Sir ISTor-
man, with thrilling earnestness and a fervid glance ;
" for you are dear to me — dearer than all the world be-
side ! "

The flush took a deeper glow on the lady's face ; but
singular to relate, she did not look the least surprised or
displeased ; and the hand he had feloniously purloined
lay passive and quite contented in his.

" Sir Norman Kingsley is pleased to jest," said the lady,
in a subdued tone, and with her eyes fixed pertinaciously
on her shining dress ; " for he has never spoken to me be-
fore in his life."

" That has nothing to do with it, Leoline. I love you
as devotedly as if I had known you from your birth-day ;
and, strange to say, I feel as if we had been friends for
years instead of minutes. I cannot realize at all that
you are a stranger to me ! "

Leoline laughed

" Nor I ; though, for that matter, you are not a stranger
to me. Sir Norman ! "

" Am I not ? How is that ? "

" I have seen you go past so often, you know, and Pru-
dence told me who you were ; and so I used — I used — "
hesitating and glowing to a degree before which her dress
paled.

" Well, dearest," said Sir Norman, getting from the
positive to the superlative at a jump, and diminishing
the distance between them, " you used to what ? "

" To watch for you ! " said Leoline, in a sly whisper.
*' And so I have got to know you very well."

100 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN".

" My own darling ! And, oh, Leoline ! may I hope —
dare I hope — that you do not altogether hate me ? "

Leoline looked reflective ; though her black eyes were
flashing under their sweeping lashes.

" Why, no," she said, demurely, " I don't know as I
do. It's very sinful and improper to hate one's fellow-
creatures, you know, Sir Norman, and therefore I don't
indulge in it."

" Ah, you are given to piety, I see. In that case, per-
haps you are aware of a precept commanding us to love
our neighbors. Now, I'm your nearest neighbor at pres-
ent ; so, to keep up a consistent Christian spirit, just be
good enough to say you love me ! "

Again Leoline laughed, and this time the bright, danc-
ing eyes beamed in their sparkling darkness full upon
him.

"I am afraid your theology is not very sound, my
friend, and I have a dislike to extremes. There is a
middle course between hating and loving. Suppose I
take that?"

" I will have no middle courses — either hating or loving
it must be. Leoline ! Leoline ! " bending over her and
imprisoning both hands this time, " do say you love me ! "

"I am captive in your hands, and must, I suppose.
Yes, Sir Norman, I do love you ! "

Every man hearing that for the first time from a pair
of loved lips is privileged to go mad for a brief season,
and to go through certain maneuvers much more delect-
able to the enjoy ers thereof than to society at large. For
fully ten minutes after Leoline's last speech, there was
profound silence. But actions sometimes speak louder
than words, and Leoline was perfectly convinced that
her doclii lilt ion had not fallen on insensible ears. At the
end of tliat period, the space between them on the couch
had so greatly diminislied, tliat the ghost of a zephyr
Avould have boencrusluHl to death tiyino- to get between
them, and Sir Noriiiau's face Avas fairly radiant. Leoline
herself looked ratlier beaming, and she suddenly, and
witliout provocation, burst into a, merry peal of laughter.

" Well, for two people who were })erfect strangers to
each other half an hour ago, I think we have gone on

LEOLINE.

101

remarkably well. What will Mr. Ormistoii and Prudence
say, I wonder, Avlien they hear this ? "

They will say what is the truth — that I am the
luckiest man in England. Oh, Leoline ! I never thought
it was in me to love any one as I do you,"

" I am very glad to hear it ; but I know that it was
in me long before I ever dreamed of knowing you. Are
you not anxious to know something about the future
Lady Kingsley's past history ? "

" It will all come in good time ; it is not well to have a
surfeit of joy in one night."

" I do not know that this will add to your joy ; but it
had better be told and be done with, at once and forever.
In the first place, I presume I am an orphan, for I have
never known father or mother, and I have never had any
other name but Leoline."

" So Ormiston told me."

" My first recollection is of Prudence ; she was my
nurse and governess, both in one ; and we lived in a
cottage by the sea — I don't know where, but a long
way from this. When I was about ten years old, we left
it, and came to London, and lived in a house in Cheapside,
for five or six years ; and then we moved here. And all
this time. Sir Norman — you will think it strange — but I
never made any friends or acquaintances, and knew no
one but Prudence and an old Italian proft^ssor, who came
to our lodgings in Cheapside, every week, to give me
lessons. It was not because I disliked society, you must
know ; but Prudence, with all her kindness and goodness
— and I believe she truly loves me — has been nothing
more or less all my life than my jailer."

She ]3aused to clasp a belt of silver brocade, fastened by
a pearl buckle, close around her little waist, and Sir Nor-
man fixed his eyes upon her beautiful face with a power-
ful glance :

" Knew no one — that is strange, Leoline ! Not even
the Count L'Estrange ? "

" Ah ! you know him ? " she cried, eagerly, lifting her
eyes mth a bright look ; " do — do tell me who he is ? "

" Upon my honor, my dear," said Sir Norman, consid-
erably taken aback, "it strikes me you are the person to

102 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

answer that question. If I don't greatly mistake, some-
body told me you were going to marry him."

" Oh, so I was," said Leoline, with the utmost sim-
plicity. " But I don't know him, for all that ; and
more than that, Sir Norman, I do not believe his name is
Count L'Estrange any more than mine is."

" Precisely my opinion ; but why, in the name of ,

no, I'll not swear ; but why were you going to marry
him, Leoline ? "

Leoline half-pouted, and shrugged her pretty pink-
satin shoulders.

" Because I couldn't help it — that's why. He coaxed,
and coaxed ; and I said no, and no, and no, until I got
tired of it. Prudence, too, was as bad as he was, until
between them I got about distracted, and at last con-
sented to marry him to get rid of him."

" My poor, persecuted little darling ! Oh," cried Sir
Norman, with a burst of enthusiasm, "how I should ad-
mire to have Count L'Estrange here for about ten min-
utes, just now ! I would spoil his next wooing for him,
or I am mistaken ! "

" No, no ! " said Leoline, looking rather alarmed ;
" you must not fight, you know. I shouldn't at all like
either of you to get killed. Besides, he has not married
me ; and so there's no harm done."

* Sir Norman seemed rather struck by that view of the
case, and after a few moments' reflection on it, came to
the conclusion that she knew best, and settled down
peaceably again.

" Why do you suppose his name is not Count
L'Estrange?" he asked.

" For many reasons. First — he is disguised ; wears
false whiskers, mustache and wig, and even the voice he
uses ax)pears assumed. Then Prudence seems in the
greatest awe of him, and she is not one to be easily awed.
I never knew her to be in the slightest degree intimidated
by any human being but liinisolf and that mysterious
woman. La INrascjue."

" Ah I you know La Masque, then ? "

" Not personally ; ])ut I have seen her as I did you,

LEOLINE.

103

you remember," Avith an arch glance ; " and, like you,
being once seen, is not to be forgotten."

Sir Norman promptly paid her for the compliment in
Cupid's own coin.

" Little flatterer ! I can almost forgive Count
L'Estrange for wanting to marry you ; for I presume he
is only a man, and not quite equal to impossibilities.
How long is it since you knew him first ? "

" Not two months. My courtships," said Leoline,
Avith a gay laugh, " seem destined to be of the shortest.
He saw me one evening in the window, and immediately
insisted on being admitted ; and, after that, he continued
coming until I had to promise, as I have told you, to be
Countess L'Estrange."

" He cannot be much of a gentleman, or he would not
attempt to force a lady against her will. And so, when
you were dressed for your bridal, you found you had the
plague ? "

" Yes, Sir Norman ; and horrible as that was I do
assure you I almost preferred it to marrying him."

" Leoline, tell me how long it is since you've known
me ? "

" Nearly three months," said Leoline, blushing again
celestial rosy red.

" And how long have you loved me ? "

" Nonsense. What a question ! I shall not tell you."

"You shall — you must— I insist upon it. Did you
love me before you met the count ? Out with it."

" Well, then — yes ! " cried Leoline, desperately.

Sir Norman raised the hand he held in rapture to his
lips.

" My darling ! But I will reserve my raptures, for it is
growing late, and I know you must want to go to rest.
I have a thousand things to tell you, but they must wait
for daylight ; only I will premise, before parting, that
this is the last night you must spend here."

Leoline opened her bright eyes very wide.

" To-morrow morning," went on Sir Norman, impress-
ively, and with dignity, " you will be up and dressed by
sunrise, and shortly after that radiant period I will make
my appearance with two horses — one of which I shall

104

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

ride, and the other I shall lead ; the one I lead you shall
mount, and Ave will ride to the nearest church, and be
married without any pom}) or pageant ; and then Sir
Norman and Lady Kingsley will immediately leave
London, and in Kingsley Castle, Devonshire, will enjoy
the honeymoon and blissful repose till the plague is
over. Do you understand that ? "

" Perfectly," she answered, with a radiant face.

" And agree to it ? "

" You know I do. Sir Norman ; only — "
" Well, my pet, only what ? "

" Sir Norman, I should like to see Prudence. I want
Prudence. How can I leave her behind ? "

" My dear child, she made nothing of leaving you when
she thought you were dying ; so never mind Prudence,
but say will you be ready ? "

«I will."

" That is my good little Leoline. Now give me a kiss,
Lady Kingsley, a,nd good- night."

Lady Kingsley dutifully obeyed ; and Sir Norman
went out with a glow at his heart, like a halo round a full
moon.

THE PAGE, THE FIRES AND THE FALL. 105

CHAPTER X.

THE PAGE, THE FIRES AXD THE FALL.

The night w.as intensely dark when Sir Norman got
into it once more ; and to any one else would have been
intensely dismal, iDut to Sir Norman all was bright as the
fair hills of Beulah. When all is bright within, we see
no darkness without; and just at that moment our young
knight had got into one of those green and golden
glimpses of sunshine that here and there checker life's
rather dark pathway, and with Leoline beside him would
have thought the dreary shores of the Dead Sea itself a
very paradise.

It was now near midnight, and there was an unusual
concourse of people in the streets, waiting for St. Paul's
to give the signal to light the fires. He looked around
for Ormiston ; but Ormiston was nowhere to be seen —
horse and rider had disappeared. His own horse stood
tethered where he had left him ; and anxious as he was
to ride back to the ruin, and see the play played out,
€Ould not resist the temptation of lingering a brief period
in the city, to behold the grand spectacle of the myriad
fires. Many persons were hurrying toward 3t. Paul's to
witness it from the dome ; and consigning his horse to
the care of the sentinel on guard at the house opposite, he
joined them, and was soon striding along, at a tremendous
pace, toward the great cathedral. Ere he reached it, its
loud-tongued clock tolled twelve, and all the other
churches one after another, took up the sound, and the
witching hour of midnight rung and re-rung from end to
end of London town. As if by magic, a thousand forked
tongues of fire shot up at once into the blind, black night,
turning almost in an instant the darkened face of the
heavens to an inflamed, glowing red. Great fires were

106 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

blazing around the cathedral when they reached i t, but no
one stopped to notice them, but only hurried on the faster
to gain their point of observation. Sir Norman just
glanced at the magnificent pile — for the old St. Paul's was
even more magnificent than the new, and then followed
after the rest, through many a gallery, tower and spiral
staircase till the dome was reached. And there a grand
and mighty spectacle was before him — the whole of Lon-
don sv/aying and heaving in one great sea of fire. From
one end to the other the city seemed wrapped in sheets
of flame, and every street, and alley, and lane within it
shone in a lurid radiance far brighter than noonday. All
along the river fires were gleaming, too ; and the whole
sky had turned from black to blood-red crimson. The
streets were alive and swarming — it could scarcely be be-
lieved that the plague-infested city contained half so many
people, and all were unusually hopeful and animated ; for
it was popularly believed that these fires would effect-
ually check the pestilence. But the angry fiat of a
Mighty Judge had gone forth, and the tremendous arm of
the destroying angel was not to be stopped by the puny
hand of man. It has been said the weather for weeks
was unusually brilliant, days of cloudless sunshine, nights
of cloudless moonlight, and the air was warm and sultry
enough for the month of August in the tropics. But
now, while they looked, a vivid flash of lightning, from
what quarter of the heavens no man kncAV, shot athwart
the sky, followed by another and another, quicl% sharj^
and blinding. Then one great drop of rain fell like
molten lead on the pavement then a second and a third —
(juicker, faster, and thicker, until down it rushed in a per-
fect deluge. It did not wait to I'ain ; it fell in floods —
in great, slaiiLiii*^- slieets of water, as if tlic very flood-gates
of hoiiven l);vd ojxMHHl for a second dchigc. No one (wer
rern(iiiil)er(;d to }iav(5 S(H;n such (orrenls liill, and tlie popu-
lace fled bcil'oro it in wild(\sL disniiiy. In live minut(\s
(ivcry lire, from one oxlrtMni(y of London to tlu; otlier,
\v;is (|n(;n(;]ie(l in tli(5 very bliuikness of darkness, and on
ti);i,L iiiglil/ tli(; d(u^i)(^st gloom and terror reigned througl)-
oul, Mic (;ily. It vvjih ch^ir the hand ol" an avenging
■I)(;ity was in 1 his, and J 1(5 who had rained down fire on

THE PAGE, THE FIRES AND THE FALL. 107

Sodom and Gomorrah had not lost His might. In fifteen
minutes the terrific flood was over; the dismal clouds
cleared away, a pale, fair, silver moon shone serenely out,
and looked down on the black, charred heaps of ashes
strewn through the streets of London. One by one the
stars, that all night had been obscured, glanced and
sparkled over the sky, and lit up with their soft, pale
light the doomed and stricken town. Everybody had
quitted the dome in terror and consternation ; and now
Sir jSTorman, who had been lost in awe, suddenly be-
thought him of his ride to the ruin, and hastened to
follow their example. Walking rapidly, not to say reck-
lessly, along, he abruptly knocked against some one
sauntering leisurely before him, and nearly pitched head-
long on the pavement. Recovering his center of gravity
by a violent effort, he turned to see the cause of the
collision, and found himself accosted by a musical and
foreign-accented voice.

" Pardon," said the sweet, and rather feminine tones ;
"it was quite an accident, I assure you, monsieur. I
had no idea I was in anybody's way."

Sir Norman looked at the voice, or rather in the di-
rection whence it came, and found it proceeded from a
lad in gay livery, whose clear, colorless face, dark eyes,
and exquisite features, were by no means unknown.
The boy seemed to recognize him at the same moment,
and slightly touched his gay cap.

" Ah ! it is Sir Norman Kingsley ! Just the very
person, but one, in the world that I wanted most to see."

" Indeed ! And, pray, whom have I the honor of ad- -
dressing ? " inquired Sir Norman, deeply edified by the
cool familiarity of the accoster.

" They call me Hubert — for want of a better name, I
suppose," said the lad, easily. "And may I ask. Sir
Norman, if you are shod with seven-leagued boots, or
if your errand is one of life and death, that you stride
along at such a terrific rate ? "

" And what is that to you ? " asked Sir Norman, scan-
dalized and indignant at his free-and-easy impudence.

" Nothing ; only I should like to keep up with you, if
my legs were long enough ; and as they're not, and as

108

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

company is not easily to be had in these forlorn streets,
I should feel obliged to you if you would just slacken
your pace a trifle, and take me in tow."

The boy's face in the moonlight, in everything but ex-
pression, was exactly that of Leoline, to which softening
circumstance may be attributed Sir Norman's yielding to
the request, and allowing the page to keep alongside.

"I've met you once before to-night?" inquired Sir
N'orman, after a prolonged and wondering stare at him.

"Yes; I have a faint recollection of seeing you and
Mr. Ormiston on London Bridge, a few hours ago, and,
by the way, perhaps I may mention I am now in search
of that same Mr. Ormiston."

" You are ? And what may you v/ant of him, pray ? '* .

" Just a little information of a private character — per-
haps you can direct me to his whereabouts."

" Should be happy to oblige you, my dear boy, but, un-
fortunately I cannot. I want to see him myself, if I
could find any one good enough to direct me to him.
Is your business pressing ? "

" Very — there is a lady in the case ; and such busi-
ness, you are aware, is always pressing. Probably you
have heard of her — a youthful angel, in virgin white, who
took a notion to jump into the Thames, not a great while
ago."

" Ah ! " said Sir Norman, with a start that did not es-
cape the quick eyes of the boy. " And what do you want
of her ? "

The page glanced at him.

" Perhaps you know her yourself. Sir Norman ? If so,
you will answer quite as well as your friend, as I only
want to know where she lives."

" I have been out of town to-night," said Sir Norman,
evasively, "and tliere mayliave been more ladies than one
jumped into tlie Tliames, during my al)sence. Pray, de-
scribe your angol in wliite."

"I did not see lier ])articularly myself," said the boy,
witli easy in(liir(;i-en(;(^, " as T am not in the liabit of pay-
ing much att(Mitiou to young ladies who run Avild about
the streets at night and jump promiscuously into rivers.
However, this oik? was rather remarkable for being

THE PAGE, THE FlliES AND THE FALL. 109

dressed as a bride, having long black hair, and a great
quantity of jewelry about her, and looking very much
like me. Having said she looks like me, I need not
add she is handsome."

" Vanity of vanities, all is vanity ! " murmured Sir Nor-
man, meditatively. " Perhaps she is a relative of yours,
Master Hubert, since you take such an iiiterest in her, and
she looks so much like you."

" Not that I know of," said Hubert, hi his careless way.
" I believe I was born minus those common domestic af-
flictions, relatives ; and I don't take the slightest interest
hi her, either ; don't think it ! "

" Then why are you in search of her ? "

" For a very good reason — because I've been ordered
to do so."

" By whom — your master ? "

" My Lord Rochester," said that nobleman's page,
waving olf the insinuation by a motion of his hand and
a little displeased froAvii ; " he picked her up adrift, and
being composed of highly inflammable materials, took a
hot and vehement fancy for her, which fact he did not
discover until your friend, Mr. Ormiston, had carried
her off."

Sir Norman scowled.

" And so he has set you in search of her, has he ? "

" Exactly so ; and now you perceive the reason wh}^ it
is quite important that I find Mr. Ormiston. We do not
know where he' has taken her to, but fancy it must be
somewhere near the river."

" You do ? I tell you what it is, my boy," exclaimed
Sir Norman, suddenly and in an elevated key, " the best
thing you can do is to go home and go to bed, and never
mind young ladies. You'll catch the plague before you'll
catch this particular young lady — I can tell you that ! "

" Monsieur is excited," lisped the lad, raising his hat
and running his taper fingers through his glossy, dark
curls. " Is she as handsome as they say she is, I won-
der ? "

" Handsome ! " cried Sir Norman, lighting up "with
quite a iicav sensation at the recollection. " I tell you
handsome doesn't begin to describe her! She is beau-

110

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

tiful, lovely, angelic, divine—" Here Sir Norman's litany
of adjectives beginning to give out, he came to a sudden
halt, with a face as radiant as the sky at sunrise.

" Ah ! I did not believe them, when they told me she
was so much like me ; but if she is as near perfection
as you describe, I shall begin to credit it. Strange, is it
not, that nature should make a duplicate of her greatest
earthly chef d oeuvre ? "

" You conceited young jackanapes ! " growled Sir Nor-
man, in deep displeasure. " It is far stranger how such a
bundle of vanity can contrive to live in this work-a-day
world. You are a foreigner, I perceive."

" Yes, Sir Norman, I am happy to say I am."

" You don't like England, then ? "

" I'd be sorry to like it : a dirty, beggarly, sickly place
as I ever saw ! "

Sir Norman eyed the slender specimen of foreign man-
hood, uttering this sentiment in the sincerest of tones,
and let his hand fall heavily on his shoulder.

" My good youth, be careful ! I happen to be a native,
and not altogether used to this sort of talk. How long
have you been here ? Not long, I know myself — at least,
not in the Earl of Rochester's service, or I would have
seen you."

" Right ! I have not been here a month ; but that
month has seemed longer than a year elsewhere. Do you
know, I imagine when the world was created, this island
of yours must have been made late on Saturday night,
and then merely thrown in from tlie refuse to lill up a
dent in the ocean."

Sir Norman pn vised in his walk, ;uh1 contemplated tlio
speaker a moiucfiL in severest silence. l>nt Master- Hu-
))ert only lift(;d \\\) liis sancy face and langliing' blade (\Yes,
in dauntless H<tn(i froUl.

" jMasl.(!r IInl)ert," began TVIaster llnbiM-l.\s ('oni])anion,
in his (i(M^|)(ist and sternc^st bass, " I don'l know your oIIkm"
nainc, and it would be of no conscMpKMice if \ did jusl-
lisl<'ii lo iiic ji inoincnl-. If you don't, want to g(>t. run
Ibiougli (you f)('i''('i v(^ I (larry a, sword), and have an un-
timely end |tii( (() youi- career, just kecip a civil tongue in
your liead, and don't slandei' Knglaiid. Now come on."

THE PAGE, THE FIRES ANT) THE FALL. Ill

Hubert laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

" Thought is free, however, so I can have my own opin-
ion malgre cela. Will you tell me, monsieur, where I can
find the lady?"

" You will have it, will you ? " exclaimed Sir N'orman,
half drawing his sword. "Don't ask questions, but an-
swer them. Are you French ? "

" Monsieur has guessed it."

" How long have you been with your present master ? "

" Monsieur, I object to that term," said Hubert with
calm dignity, " Master is a vulgarism that I dislike ; so,
in alluding to his lordship, take the trouble to say patron."

Sir Norman laughed.

" With all my heart ! How long, then, have you been
with your present patron ? "
" Not quite two weeks."

" I do not like to be impertinently inquisitive in ad-
dressing so dignified a gentleman, but i:)erhaps you would
not consider it too great a liberty if I inquired how you
became his page ? "

" Monsieur shall ask as many questions as he pleases,
and it shall not be considered the slightest liberty," said
the young gentleman, politely. " I had been roaming at
large about the city and his majesty's palace — whom may
the good God preserve and grant a little more wisdom !
— in search of a situation ; and among that of all the no-
bles of the court, the Earl of Rochester's livery struck me
as being the most becoming, and so I concluded to x)atron-
ize him."

" What an honor for his lordship ! Since you dislike
England so much, however, you will probably soon throw
up the situation and patronize the first foreign ambas-
sador "

"Perhaps! I rather like Whitehall, however. Old
Rowlie has taken rather a fancy to me," said the boy,
speaking with the same easy familiarity of his majesty as
he would of a lapdog. " And what is better, so has Mis-
tress Stewart — so much so, that God forefend the king
should become jealous. This, however, is strictly eiitre
nous, and not to be spoken of on any terms."

" Your secret shall be preserved at the risk of my

112

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

life," said Sir Norman, laying his hand on the left side
of his doublet ; " and in return, may I ask if you have
any relatives living — any sisters, for instance ? "

"I see! you have suspicion that the lady in white
may be a sister of mine. Well, you may set your mind
at rest on that point — for if she is, it is neAvs to me,
as I never saw her in my life before to-night. Is she
a particular friend of yours. Sir Norman ? "

"Never you mind that, my dear boy ; but take my ad-
vice, and don't trouble yourself looking for her ; for,
most assuredly, if you find her, I shall break your head ! "

" Much obliged ! " said Hubert, touching his cap, " but
nevertheless, I shall risk it. She had the plague, though,
when she jumped into the river, and perhaps the best
place to find her would be the pest-house. I shall try."

" Go, and God speed you ! Yonder is the way to it,
and mj road lies here. Good-night, master Hubert."

" Good-night, Sir Norman," responded the page, bowing
airily ; " and if I do not find the lady to-night, most as-
suredly I shall do so to-morrow."

Turning along a road leading to the pest-house, and
laughing as he went, the boy disappeared. Fearing lest
the page should follow him, and thereby discover a clue
to Leoline's abode. Sir Norman turned into a street some
distance from the house, and waited in the shadow until
he was out of sight. Then he came forth, and, full of
impatience to get back to the ruin, hurried on to where
he liad left his horse. He was still in the care of the
watchman, whom he repaid for his trouble ; and as he
sprung on his back, he glanced up at the windows of
Leoline's house. It was all buried in profound dark-
ness but that one window from which that faint light
streamed, and he knew that she had not yet gone to
rest. For a moment he lingered and looked at it in
the absurd way lovers will look, and was presently re-
ward(;d by seeing w]i:'.-t ]\() AvatcJicd for - a sliadow flit
between him and tlic liglit. The siL;]it Avas a strong
tem})tation to liim to dismount and enter, and, under pre-
tense of warning lier against the Earl of llo(^hestor and
his "pretty page," see her once again. J5ut reflection,,
stepping rel)ukingly up to him, Avhispered indignantly.

THE PAGE, THE FIRES AND THE FALL. 113

that his lady-love was probably by this time en sac de
nuit^ and not at home to lovers ; and Sir Norman respect-
fully bowed to reflection's superior wisdom. He thought
of Hubert's words, " If I do not find her to-night, I shall
most assuredly to-morrow," and a chill presentiment of
coming evil fell upon him.

" To-morrow," he said, as he turned to go. " Who knows
what to-morrow may bring forth ? Fairest and dearest
- Leoline, good-night ! "

He rode aAvay in the moonlight, with the stars shining
peacefully down upon him. His heart at the moment was
a divided one — one half being given to Leoline, and the
other to the Midnight Queen and her mysterious court.
The further he went away from Leoline, the dimmer her
star became in the horizon of his thoughts ; and the nearer
he came to Miranda, the brighter and more eagerly she
loomed np, until he spurred his horse to a most furious
gallop, lest he should find the castle and the queen lost
in the regions of space when he got there. Once the
plague-stricken city lay behind him, his journey was
short; and soon, to his great delight, the rattle of the
dead- cart and the ominous call, " Bring out your dead !
Bring out your dead ! " were left behind, and he turned
into the silent, deserted by-path leading to the ruin.
Tying his horse to a stake in the crumbling wall, he
I)aused for a moment to look at it in the pale, wan light
of the midnight moon. He had looked at it many a
time before, but never with the same interest as now ; and
the ruined iDattlements, the fallen roof, the broken win-
dows, and moldering sides, had all a new and weird in-
terest for him. No one was visible far or near ; and feel-
ing that his horse was secure in the shadow of the wall,
he entered, and walked lightly and rapidly along in the
direction of the spiral staircase. With more haste, but
the same precaution, he descended, and passed through
the vaults to where he knew the loose flag- stone was. It
was well he did know ; for there was neither strain of
music nor ray of light to guide him now ; and his heart
sank down to zero as he thought he might raise the stone
and discover nothing. His hand positively trembled
with eagerness as he lifted it ; and with unbounded

114 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEIST.

delight, not to be described, looked down on the same titled
assembly he had watched before. But there had been a
change since — half the lights were extinguished, and the
great vaulted room was comparatively in shadow — the
music had entirely died away, and all was solemnly silent.
But what puzzled Sir Norman most of all was, the fact
that there seemed to be a trial of some sort going on.

A long table, covered with green velvet, and looking
not unlike a modern billiard-table, stood at the right of
the queen's crimson throne ; and behind it, perched in a
high chair, and wearing a long, solemn black robe, sat a
small thick personage, whose skin Sir Norman would
have known on a bush. He glanced at the lower throne
and found it as he expected, empty ; and he saw at once
that his little highness was not only prince consort, but
also supreme judge in the kingdom. Two or three simi-
lar black-robed gentry, among whom was recognizable
the noble duke who so narrowly escaped with his life
under the swords of Sir Norman and Count L'Estrange.
Before this solemn conclave stood a man who was evi-
dently the prisoner under trial, and who wore the whitest
and most frightened face Sir Norman thought he had ever
beheld. The queen was lounging negligently back in her
throne, paying very little attention to the solemn rites,
occasionally gossiping with some of the snow-white sylphs
beside her, and often yawning behind her pretty finger-
tips, and evidently very much bored by it all.

The rest of the company were decorously seated in the
crimson and gilded arm-chairs ; some listening with in-
terest to what was going on, others holding whispered
Ute-a-Utes^ and all very still and respectful. Sir Nor-
man's interest war aroused to the highest pitch ; he im-
prudently leaned forward too far, in order to hear and
see, and lost his balance. He felt he was going, and tried
to stop himself, but in vain; and seeing there was no lielp
for it, he made a sudden spring, and landed right in the
midst of the assembly.

THE EXECUTION.

115

CHAPTER XI.

THE EXECUTIOX.

In an instant all was confusion. Everybody sprung to
their feet — ladies shrieked in chorus, gentlemen swore and
drew their swords, and looked to see if they might not ex-
pect a whole army to drop from the sky upon them, as they
stood. No other battalion, however, followed this forlorn
hope ; and, seeing it, the gentlemen took heart of grace
and closed around the unceremonious intruder. The
queen had sprung from her royal seat, and stood with her
bright lips parted, and her brighter eyes dilating in
speechless wonder. The bench, with the judge at their
head, had followed her example, and stood staring with
all their might, looking, truth to tell, as much startled by
the sudden apparition as the fair sex. The said fair sex
were still firing off little volleys of screams in chorus, and
clinging desperately to their cavaliers ; and everything,
in a word, was in most admired disorder. Tam O'Shan-
ter's cry of " Weel done, cutty sark I " could not have
produced half such a commotion among his " hellish
legion " as the emphatic debut of Sir Norman Kingsley
among these human revelers. The only one who seemed
rather to enjoy it than otherwise was the prisoner, who
was quietly and quickly making off, when the malevolent
and irrepressible dwarf espied him, and the one shock
acting as a counter-irritant to the other, he bounced
fleetly over the table, and grabbed him in his crab-like
claws.

This brisk and laudable instance of self-command had
a wonderful and inspiriting effect on the rest ; and as he
replaced the pale and palsied prisoner in his former posi-
tion, giving him a vindictive shake and vicious kick with
his royal boots as he did so, everybody began to feel them-

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

selves again. The ladies stopped screaming, the gentle-
men ceased swearing, and more than one exclamation of
astonishment followed the cries of terror.

" Sir Norman Kingsley, Sir Norman Kingsley ! " rang
from lip to lip of those who recognized him ; and all drew
closer, and looked at him as if they really could not make
up their mind to believe their eyes. As for Sir Norman
himself, that gentleman was destined literally, if not
metaphorically, to fall on his legs that night, and had
alighted on the crimson velvet carpet, cat-like, on his
feet. In reference to his feelings — his first was one of
frantic disapproval of going down ; his second one of in-
tense astonishment at finding himself there with un-
broken bones ; his third, a disagreeable conviction that he
had about put his foot in it, and was in an excessively bad
fix ; and last, but not least, a firm and rooted determi-
nation to make the best of a bad bargain, and never say
die. His first act was to take off his plumed hat, and
make a profound obeisance to her majesty the queen, who
was altogether too much surprised to make the return
politeness demanded, and merely stared at him with her
great, beautiful, brilliant eyes, as if she would never have
done.

" Ladies and gentlemen ! " said Sir Norman, turning
gracefully to the company ; " I beg ten thousand pardons
for this unwarrantable intrusion, and promise you, upon
my honor, never to do it again. I beg to assure you that
my coming here was altogether involuntary on my part,
and forced by circumstances over which I had no control ;
and I entreat you Avill not mind me in the least, but go on
with the proceedings just as you did before. Should you
feel my presence here any restraint, I am quite ready and
willing to take my departure at any moment ; and, as I
before insinuated, will promise, on the honor of a gentle-
man and a knight, never again to take the liberty of tum-
bling througii tlie ceiling down on your heads.

This ref(;i'en(;o to the ceiling seemed to explain the
whole mystery ; and (jvcrylxxly looked up at the corner
whence he came from, and saw (lie flag that liad been
removed. As to his speecli, everybody had listened to it
with the greatest of attention; and sundry of the ladies

THE EXECUTIOK

117

convinced by this time that he was flesh and blood, and
no ghost, favored the handsome young knight with divers^
glances, not at all displeased or unadmiring. The queen
sunk back into her seat, keeping him still transfixed with
her darkly-splendid eyes ; and whether she admired or
otherwise, no one could tell from her still, calm face. The
prince- consort's feelings — for such there could be no doubt
he was — were involved in no such mystery ; and he broke
out into a hyena-like scream of laughter, as he recognized^
upon a second look, his young friend of the " Golden
Crown."

" So you have come, have you ? " he cried thrusting his
unlovely visage over the table, till it almost touched Sir
JSTorman's. You have come, have you, after all I said ? "

" Yes, sir, I have come ! " said Sir Norman, with a
polite bow.

" Perhaps you don't know me, my dear young sir — your
little friend, you know, of the * Golden Crown. ' "

" Oh, I perfectly recognize you ! My little friend,'*
said Sir Norman, with bland suavity, and unconsciously
quoting Leoline, " once seen is not easy to be forgotten."

Upon this, his highness set up such another screech of
mirth that it quite woke an echo through the room ; and
all Sir Norman's friends looked grave ; for when his high-
ness laughed, it was a very bad sign.

"My little friend will hurt himself," remarked Sir
Norman, with an air of solicitude, " if he indulges in his
exuberant aud gleeful spirits to such an extent. Let me
recommend you, as a well-wisher, to sit down and compose
yourself."

Instead of complying, however, the prince, who seemed
blessed with a lively sense of the ludicrous, was so struck
with the extreme funniness of the young man's speech,,
that he relaxed into another paroxysm of levity, shriller
and more unearthly, if possible, than any preceding one
and which left him so exhausted, that he was forced to
sink into his chair and into silence through sheer fatigue.
Seizing this, the first opportunity, Miranda, with a glance
of displeased dignity at Caliban, immediately struck in :

" Who are you, sir, and by what right do you dare to
come here ? "

118 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

Her tone was neither very sweet nor suave ; but it was
much pleasanter to be cross-examined by the owner of
such a pretty face than by the ugly little monster, for
the moment gasping and extinguished ; and Sir Norman
turned to her with alacrity and a bow.

" Madam, I am Sir Norman Kingsley, veiy much at your
service ; and I beg to assure you I did not come here, but
fell here, through that hole, if you perceive, and very
much against my will."

" Equivocations will not serve you in this case, sir," said
the queen, with an austere dignity. " And, allow me to
observe, it is just probable you would not have fallen
through that hole in our royal ceiling if you had kept
away from it. You raised that flag yourself, did you not ? "

" Madam, I fear I must say yes ! "

" And why did you do so?" demanded her majesty,
with far more sharp asperity than Sir Norman dreamed
could ever come from such beautiful lips.

" The rumor of Queen Miranda's charms has gone forth ;
and I fear I must own that rumor drew me hither," re-
sponded Sir Norman, inventing a polite little work of fic-
tion for the occasion ; " and, let me add, that I came to
find that rumor had underrated instead of exaggerating
her majesty's said charms."

Here Sir Norman, whose spine seemed in danger of be-
coming the shape of a rainbow, in excess of good breeding,
made another genuflection before the queen, with his hand
over the region of his heart. Miranda tried to look grave
and wear that expression of severe solemnity I am told
queens and rich people always do ; but, in spite of herself
a little pleased smile rippled over her face ; and, noticing
it, and the bow and speech, the prince suddenly and
sharply set up such another screech of laughter as no
steamboat or locomotive, in the present age of steam could
begin to equal in gliastliness.

" Will your liiglmess have the goodness to hold your
tougueV" in([uired the queen, Avith much the air and look
of Mrs. Caudle, "and allow mo to ask tliis stranger a few
fjuestions uninterrupted? Sir Nornum Kingsley, how
long liave you been above there, listening and looking
on ? "

THE EXECUTION.

119

" Madam, I was not there five minutes when I suddenly,
and to my great surprise, found myself here."

"A lie ! — a lie ! " exclaimed the dwarf, furiously. " It
is over two hours since I met you at the bar of the ' Golden
Crown.' "

" My dear little friend," said Sir Norman, drawing his
sword, and flourishing it within an inch of the royal nose,
" just make that remark again, and my sword will cleave
your pretty head, as the cimetar of Saladin clove the
cushion of down ! I earnestly assure you, madam, that I
had but just knelt down to look, when I discovered to my
dismay, that I was no longer there, but in your charming
presence."

" In that case, my lords and gentlemen," said the queen,
glancing blandly round the apartment, " he has witnessed
nothing, and, therefore, merits but slight punishment."

" Permit me, your majesty," said the duke, who had
read the roll de mort, and who had been eying Sir
Norman sharply for some time, " permit me one moment !
This is the very individual who slew the Earl of Ashley,
while his companion was doing for my Lord Craven. Sir
Norman Kingsley," said his grace, turning with awful im-
pressiveness to that young person, " do you know me ? "

" Quite as well as I wish to," answered Sir Norman,
with a cool and rather contemptuous glance in his direc-
tion. " You look extremely like a certain highwayman,
with a most villainous countenance, I encountered a few
hours back, and whom I would have made mince-meat of
if he had not been coward enough to fly. Probably you
may be the same ; you look fit for that, or anything else."

" Cut him down. " Dash his brains out ! " " Run him
through ! " " Shoot him ! " were a few of the mild and
pleasant insinuations that went off on every side of him,
like a fierce volley of pop-guns ; and a score of bright
blades flashed blue and threatening on every side ; while
the prince broke out into another shriek of laughter, that
rung high over all. Sir Norman drew his own sword, and
stood on the defense, breathed one thought to Leoline,
gave himself up for lost ; but before quite doing so — to
use a phrase not altogether as original as it might be —
*' determined to sell his life as dearly as possible." Angry

120 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

eyes and fierce faces were on every hand, and his dreams
of matrimony and Leoline seemed about to terminate then
and there, when luck came to his aid, in the shape of her
most gracious majesty the queen. Springing to her feet,
she waved her scepter ; while her black eyes flashed as
fiercely as the best of them, and her voice rung out like a
trumpet-tone :

" Sheathe your swords, my lords, and back every man
of you ! Not one hair of his head shall fall without my
permission ; and the first who lays hands on him until
that consent is given, shall die, if I have to shoot him my-
self ! Sir Norman Kingsley, stand near, and fear not.
At their peril, let one of them touch you ! "

Sir Norman bent on one knee, and raised the gracious
hand to his lips. At the fierce, ringing, imperious tone,
all involuntarily fell back, as if they were accustomed to
obey it ; and the prince, who seemed to-night in an un-
commonly facetious mood, laughed again, long and shrill.

"What are your majesty's commands?" asked the dis-
comfited duke, rather sulkily. " Is this insulting inter-
loper to go free ? "

" That is no affair of yours, my lord duke ! " answered
the spirited, not to say fierce voice, of the queen. " Be
good enough to finish Lord Gloucester's trial ; and until
then I will be responsible for the safe-keeping of Sir
Norman Kingsley."

" And after that, he is to go free — eh, your majesty ? "
said the dwarf, laughing to that extent that he ran the
risk of rupturing an artery.

" After that, it shall be precisely as I please ! " replied
the ringing voice ; while the black eyes flashed anything
but loving glances upon him. " While I am queen here,
I shall be obeyed ; when I am queen no longer, you may
do as you please ! My lords," (turning her passionate,
beautiful face to the hushed audience), "am I or ami not
sovereign here ? "

" Madam, you alone are our sovereign lady and queen ! "

" Then, when T con(les(;cnd to command, you shall obey !
J)o you, your highness, and you, lord duke, go on With the
Karl of Gloucester's trial, and I will be the stranger's
jailer."

THE EXECUTION^.

121

" She is right," said the dwarf, his fierce little eyes
gleaming with a malignant light ; " let us do one thing be-
fore another ; and after we have settled Gloucester, here,
we will attend to this man's case. Guards, keep a sharp
eye on your new prisoner. Ladies and gentlemen, be good
enough to resume your seats. Now, your grace, continue
the trial."

"Where did we leave olf ? " inquired his grace, looking
rather at a loss, and scowling vengeance dire at the hand-
some queen and her handsome protege, as he sunk back
in his chair of state.

" The earl was confessing his guilt, or about to do so.
Pray, my lord," said the dwarf, glaring upon the pallid
prisoner, " were you not saying you had betrayed us to
the king ? "

A breathless silence followed the question — everybody
seemed to hold their very breath to listen. Even the
queen leaned forward and awaited the answer eagerly, and
the many eyes that had been riveted on Sir Norman since
his entree left him now for the first time and settled on
the prisoner. A piteous spectacle that prisoner was — his
face whiter than the snowy nymphs behind the throne,
and so distorted with fear, fury and guilt, that it looked
scarcely human. Twice he opened his eyes to reply, and
twice all sounds died away in a choking gasp.

" Do you hear his highness ? " sharply inquired the lord
high chancellor, reaching over the great seal, and giving
the unhappy Earl of Gloucester a rap on the head with it.
Why do you not answer ? "

" Pardon ! pardon ! " exclaimed the earl, in a husky
whisper. " Do not believe the tales they tell you of me.
For God's sake, spare my life ! "

" Confess ! " thundered the dwarf, striking the table
with his clenched fist, until all the papers thereon jumped
spasmodically into the air — « confess at once, or I shall
run you through where you stand ! "

The earl, with a perfect screech of terror, flung himself
flat upon his face and hands before the queen, with such
force, that Sir Norman expected to see his countenance
make a hole in the floor.

122 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Oh, madam ! spare me ! spare me ! spare me ! Have
mercy on me as you hope for mercy yourself ! "

She recoiled, and drew back her very garments from
his touch, as if that touch was pollution, eying him the
while with a glance frigid and pitiless as death.

" There is no mercy for traitors ! " she coldly said.
" Confess your guilt, and expect no pardon from me ! "

" Lift him up ! " shouted the dwarf, clawing the air with
his hands, as if he could have clawed the heart out of his
victim's body ; " back with him to his place, guards, and
see that he does not leave it again ! "

Squirming, and writhing, and twisting himself in their
grasp, in a very uncomfortable and eel-like fashion, the
earl was dragged back to his place, and forcibly held there
by two of the guards, while his face grew so ghastly and
convulsed that Sir Norman turned away his head, and
could not bear to look at it.

" Confess ! " once more yelled the dwarf, in a terrible
voice, while his still more terrible eyes literally flashed
sparks of fire — " confess, or by all that's sacred it shall be
tortured out of you. Guards, bring me the thumb-screws,
and let us see if they will not exorcise the dumb devil by
which our ghastly friend is possessed ! "

" No, no, no ! " shrieked the earl, while the foam flew
from his lips. " I confess ! I confess ! I confess I "

"Good! And what do you confess?" said the duke,
blandly, leaning forward, wliile the dwarf fell back with
a yell of laughter at the success of his ruse.

" I confess all — everything — anything ! only spare my
life!"

" Do you confess to having told Charles, King of Eng-
land, the secrets of our kingdom and this place ? " said the
duke, sternly, rapping down the petition, with a roll of
parchment.

The earl grew, if possible, more ghastly white.

" I do — I must ! but oh ! for the love of — "

" Never mind love," cut in tlic inexorable duke, " it is
a subject that luis nothing whatever to do with the present
case. Did you or did you not receive for the aforesaid
information a large sum of money?"

"I (lid; l)ut, my lord, my lord, spare — "

THE EXECUTION.

123

" Which sum of money you have concealed," continued
the duke, with another frown and a sharp rap. " Now
the question is, where have you concealed it ? "

" I will tell you with all my heart, only spare my life ! "

" Tell us first, and we will think about your life after-
ward. Let me advise you as a friend, my lord, to tell at
once, and truthfully," said the duke, toying negligently
with the thumb- screws.

" It is buried at the north corner of the old wall at the
head of Bradshav/'s grave. You shall have that and a
thousandfold more if you'll only pardon — "

" Enough ! " broke in the dwarf, with the look and tone
of an exultant demon. " That is all we want. My lord
duke, give me the death-warrant, and while her majesty
signs it, I will pronounce his doom ! "

The duke handed him a roll of parchment, which he
glanced critically over, and handed to the queen for her
autograph. That royal lady spread the vellum on her
knee, took the pen and affixed her signature as coolly as
if she were inditing a sonnet in an album. Then his high»
ness, with a face that fairly scintillated with demoniac de-
light, stood up and fixed his eyes on the ghastly prisoner,
and spoke in a voice that reverberated like the tolling of
a deatn-bell through the room :

" My Lord of Gloucester, you've been tried by a council
of your fellow-peers, presided over by her royal self, and
found guilty of high treason. Your sentence is that you
be taken hence, immediately, to the block, and there be
beheaded, in ]3unishment of your crime."

His highness wound up this somewhat solemn speech,
rather inconsistently, by bursting out into pne of his
shrillest peals of laughter ; and the miserable Earl of
Gloucester, with a gasping, unearthly yell, fell back in the
arms of the attendants. Dead and oppressive silence
reigned ; and Sir Norman, who half believed all along the
whole thing was a farce, began to feel an uncomfortable
sense of chill creeping over him, and to think that, though
practical jokes were excellent things in their way, there
was yet a possibility of carrying them a little too far.
The disagreeable silence was first broken by the dwarf,
who, after gloating for a moment over his victim's con-

124

THE MIDNIGHT QUEElSl.

vulsive spasms, sprung nimbly from his chair of dignity
and held out his arm for the queen. The queen arose,
which seemed to be a signal for everybody else to do the
same, and all began forming themselves in a sort of line
of march.

" What is to be done with this other prisoner, your high-
ness ? " inquired the duke, making a poke with his fore-
finger at Sir Norman. " Is he to stay here, or is he to
accompany us ? "

His highness turned round, and putting his face close
up to Sir Norman's, favored him with a malignant grin.

"You'd like to come, wouldn't you, my dear young
friend?"

" Really," said Sir Norman, drawing back and return-
ing the dwarf's stare with compound interest, " that de-
pends altogether on the nature of the entertainment ; but,
at the same time, I'm much obliged to you for consulting
my inclinations."

This reply nearly overset his highness' gravity once
more, but he checked his mirth after the first irrepressible
squeal ; and finding the company were all arranged in the
order of going, and awaiting his sovereign pleasure, he
turned.

" Let him come," he said, with his countenance still dis-
torted by inward merriment ; " it will do him good to see
how we punish offenders here, and teach him what he is
to expect himself. Is your majesty ready ? "

" My majesty has been ready and waiting for the last
five minutes," replied the lady, overlooking his proffered
hand with grand, silent disdain, and stepping lightly down
from her throne.

THE DOOM.

125

CHAPTER XII.

THE DOOM.

Her majesty's rising was the signal for the unseen band
to strike up a grand triumphant " lo psean," though, had
the " Rogue's March " been a popular melody in those
times, it would have suited the procession much more ad-
mirably. The queen and the dwarf went first, and a vivid
contrast they were — she so young, so beautiful, so proud,
so disdainfully cold ; he so ugly, so stunted, so deformed, so
:fiendish. After them went the band of sylphs in white,
then the chancellor, archbishop, and ambassadors ; next
the whole court of ladies and gentlemen ; and after them
Sir Norman in the custody of two of the soldiers. The
condemned earl came last, or rather allowed himself to
be dragged by his four guards ; for he seemed to have be-
come perfectly palsied and dumb with fear. Keeping time
to the triumphant march, and preserving dismal silence,
the procession wound its way along the room and through
a great archway, heretofore hidden by the tapestry now
lifted lightly by the nymphs. A long stone passage, car-
peted with crimson and gold, and brilliantly illuminated
like the grand saloon they had left, was thus revealed, and
three similar archways appeared at the extremity, one to
the right and left, and one directly before them. The pro-
cession passed through the one to the left, and Sir Nor-
man started in dismay to find himself in the most gloomy
apartment he had ever beheld in his life. It was all
covered with black — walls, ceiling and floor were draped
in black, and reminded him forcibly of La Masque's cham-
ber of horrors, only this was considerably more so. It
was lighted, or rather the gloom was troubled, by a few
.sj)ectral tapers of black wax in ebony candlesticks, that

126

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

seemed absolutely to turn black, and make the horrible
place more horrible. There was no furniture — neither
couch, chair, nor table — nothing but a sort of stage at the
upper end of the room, with something that looked like a
seat upon it, and both were shrouded with the same dis-
mal drapery. But it was no seat ; for everybody stood,
arranging themselves silently and noiselessly around the
walls, with the queen and the dwarf at their head, and
near this elevation stood a tall, black statue, wearing a
mask, and leaning on a bright, dreadful, glittering ax.
The music changed to an unearthly dirge, so weird and
blood-curdling, that Sir Norman could have put his hands
over his ear-drums to shut out the ghastly sound. The
dismal room, the voiceless spectators, the black specter
with the glittering ax, the fearful music, struck a chill to
his inmost heart.

Could it be possible they were really going to murder
the unhappy wretch? and could all those beautiful ladies
— could that surpassingly beautiful queen stand there
serenely unmoved, to witness such a crime ? While he
yet looked round in horror, the doomed man, already
apparently almost dead with fear, was dragged forward
by his guards. Paralyzed as he was, at sight of the stage
which he knew to be the scaffold, he uttered shriek after
shriek of frenzied despair, and struggled like a madman
to get free. But as well might Laocoon have struggled
in the folds of the serpent ; they pulled him on, bound
him hand and foot, and held his head forcibly down on
the block. The black specter moved — the dwarf mtide a
signal — the glittering ax was raised — fell — a scream was
cut in two — a briglit jet of blood spouted u\) in tlio soMicrs'
' faces, blinding them : the ax fell again, and the Karl of
Gloucester was minus that useful and ornamental appen-
dage, a head.

Jt was all over so quickly, that Sir Norman could scarcely
beli(5V(; his horri(i(;(l s(mis(\s until Lht^ (UhmI was done. Th(^
(;x(!cutir)n(',r thi-(!\v a l)la,ck cloth ()V(>r the bliuMling trunk,
and held Uj) the, grizzly head by th(^ hair ; and Sir Norman
con hi have sworn the f(;atur(\s movc^d, and tlu^ dvwd (\yes
lolhul lound Uni ror)in.

" Behold I " cri(!d the ex(H'uti()ner, sti'iking the convulsed

THE DOOM.

127

face with the palm of his open hand, " the fate of all trai-
tors ! "

" And of all spies ! " exclaimed the dwarf, glaring with
his fiendish eyes upon the appalled Sir Norman„ " Keep
your ax sharp and bright, Mr. Executioner, for before
morning dawns there is another gentleman here to be
made shorter by a head."

" Let us go," said the queen, glancing at the revolting
sight, and turning away with a shudder of repulsion.
" Faugh ! The sight of blood has made me sick."

" And taken away my appetite for supper," added a
youthful and elegant beauty beside her. " My Lord
Gloucester was hideous enough when living, but, mon
Dieu ! he is ten times more so when dead ! "

" Your ladyship will not have the same story to tell of
yonder stranger, when he shares the same fate in an hour
or two ! " said the dwarf, Avith a malicious grin ; " for I
heard you remarking upon his extreme beauty when he
first appeared."

The lady laughed and bowed, and turned her bright
eyes upon Sir ^^orman.

" True ! It is almost a pity to cut such a handsome
head off — is it not ? I wish I had a voice in your high-
ness' council, and I know what I should do."

"What, Lady Mountjoy?"

" Entreat him to swear fealty, and become one of us ;
and—"

" And a bridegroom for your ladyship ? " suggested the
queen with a curling lip. " I think if Sir Norman
Kingsley knew Lady Mountjoy as well as I do, he would
even prefer the block to such a fate ! "

Lady Mountjoy 's brilliant eyes shone like two angry
meteors ; but she merely bowed and laughed ; and the laugh
was echoed by the dwarf in his shrillest falsetto.

"Does your highness intend remaining here all
night ? " demanded the queen rather fiercely. " If not, the
sooner we leave this ghastly place the better. The play
is over, and supper is waiting."

With which the royal virago made an imperious
motion for her attendant spirits in gossamer white to
precede her, and turned with her accustomed stately step

128

THE MIDKIGIIT QUEEN.

to follow. The music immediately changed from its
doleful dirge to a spirited measure, and the whole com-
iwiy flocked after her, back to the great room of state.
There they all paused, hovering in uncertainty around
the room, while the queen, holding her purple train up
lightly in one hand, stood at the foot of the throne, glanc-
ing at them with her cold, haughty and beautiful eyes.
In their Avandering, those same darkly-splendid eyes
glanced and lighted on Sir ISTorman, who, in a state of
seeming stupor at the horrible scene he had just witnessed,
stood near the green table, and they sent a thrill through
him with their wonderful resemblance to Leoline's. So
vividly alike were they, that he half-doubted for a moment
whether she and Leoline were not really one ; but no —
Leoline never could have had the cold, cruel heart to stand
and witness such a horrible sight. Miranda's dark, pier-
cing glance fell as haughtily and disdainfully on him as it
had on the rest ; and his heart sunk as he thought that
whatever sympathy she had felt for him was entirely
gone. It might have been a whim, a woman's caprice,
spirit of contradiction, that had induced her to defend him
at first. Whatever it was, and it mattered not now, it
had completely vanished. I^o face of marble could have
been colder, or stonier, or harder, than hers, as she looked
at him out of the depths of her great dark eyes ; and
with that look, his last lingering hope of life vanished.

" And now for the next trial ! " exclaimed the dwarf,
briskly breaking in upon his drab- colored meditations,
and bustling past. " We will get it over at once, and
have done with it ! "

" You will do no such thing ! " said the imperious voice
of the queenly shrew. " Wc will have neither trials nor
anything else until after su])i)(n-, which has already been
delayed four full minutes. My lord chamberlain, have the
goodness to step in and see that all is in order."

One of tlie gilded and decorated gentlemen whom Sir
N'oT'inan liad mistakcni for aml)assadors stepped off, in
<)])edien(;e, tlirough another opening in the tapestry —
wliicli seemed to Ik; as extensivc^ly undermined with such
apertures as a cabman's coat with capes — and, while lie
■\v;is gone, the f(ueen stood drawn uj) to her full height,

THE DOOM.

129

Avitli her scornful face looking down on the dwarf. That
small man lit up his very plain face into a bristle of the
sourest kinks, and frowned sulky disapproval at an order
which he either would not, or dared not, countermand.
Probably the latter had most to do with it, as everybody
looked hungry and mutinous, and a great deal more eager,
for their supper than the life of Sir Norman Kingsley.

" Your majesty, the royal banquet is waiting," insinu-
ated the lord high chamberlain, returning, and bending
over until his face and his shoe-buckles almost touched.

" And what is to be done with this prisoner, while we
are eating it ? " growled the dwarf, looking drawn swords
at his liege lady.

" He can remain here, under care of the guards, can he
not ? " she retorted, sharply. " Or, if you are afraid they
are not equal to taking care of him, you had better stay
and watch him yourself."

With which answer, her majesty sailed majestically
away, leaving the gentleman addressed to follow or not,
as he pleased. It pleased him to do so, on the whole ; and
he went after her, growling anathemas between his royal
teeth, and evidently in the same state of mind that reduces
gentlemen in private life to take sticks to their aggravat-
ing spouses, under similar circumstances. However it
might not be just the thing, perhaps, for kings and queens
to take broomsticks to settle their little differences of
opinion, like common Christians ; and so the prince
peaceably followed her, and entered the salle d manger with
the rest, and Sir Norman and his keepers were left in the
hall of state, monarchs of all they surveyed. Notwith-
standing he knew his hours were numbered, the young
knight could not avoid feeling curious, and the tapestry
having been drawn aside, he looked through the arch
with a good deal of interest.

The apartment was smaller than the one in which he
stood — though still very large, and instead of being all
crimson and gold, was glancing and glittering with blue
and silver. These azure hangings were of satin, instead
of velvet, and looked quite light and cool, compared to
the hot, glowing place where he was. The ceiling was
spangled over with silver stars, with the royal arms

130 THE MIDOTGHT QUEEN.

quartered in the middle, and the chairs were of white,
polished wood, gleaming like ivory, and cushioned with
blue satin. The table was of immense length, as it had
need to be, and flashed and sparkled in the wax light with
hea]3s of gold and silver plate, cut-glass and precious porce-
lain. Golden and crimson wines shone in the carved
decanters ; great silver baskets of fruit were strewn about,
with piles of cakes and confectionery — not to speak of
more solid substantials, wherein the heart of every true
Englishman delightetli. The queen sat in a great, raised
chair at the head, and helped herself without paying much
attention to anybody, and the remainder were ranged
down its length, according to their rank — which, as they
were all pretty much dukes and duchesses was about
equal.

The spirits of the company — depressed for a moment
by the unpleasant little circumstance of seeing one of
their numbei' beheaded — seemed to revive under the
spirituous influence of sherry, sack, and burgundy ; and
soon they were laughing, and chatting, and hobnobbing, as
animatedly as any dinner-party Sir ISTorman had ever
seen. The musicians, too, appeared to be in high feather,
and the merriest music of the day assisted the noble ban-
queters' digestion.

Under ordinary circumstances, it was rather a tantaliz-
ing scene to stand aloof and contemplate; and so the
guards very likely felt ; but Sir Norman's thoughts were
of that room in black, the headsman's ax, and Leoline. He
felt he would never see her again — never see the sun rise
that was to shine on their bridal ; and he wondered what
she would think of him, and if she was destined to fall in-
to the hands of Lord Ilochester or Count L'Estrange. As
a general thing, our young friend was not given to melan-
clioly moralizing, but in the present case, with the heads-
man's ax, poised like the sword of Damocles by a single
hair, he may be pardoned for reflecting that this world
is all a fleeting «how, and that he had got himself into a
scrape to which the plague was a trifle. And yet, with
nervous impatience ho wished the dinner and his trial
were over, his fate sealed, and his life ended at once, since
it was to be ended soon. For the fulfilment of the first

THE DOOM.

131

wish, he had not long to wait ; the feast, though gay and
grand, was of the briefest, and they could have scarcely
been half an hour gone when* they were all back.

Everybody seemed in better humor, too, after the refec-
tion, but the queen and the dwarf — the former looked
colder and harder, and more like a Labrador iceberg
tricked out in purple velvet, than ever, and his highness
was grinning from ear to ear — which was the very worst
possible sign. 'Not even her majesty could make the
slightest excuse for delaying the trial now ; and, indeed,
that eccentric lady seemed to have no wish to do so, had
she the power, but seated herself in silent disdain of them
all, and dropping her long lashes over her dark eyes,
seemed to forget there was anybody in existence but her-
self. His highness and his nobles took their stations of
authority behind the green table, and summoned the
guards to lead the prisoner up before them, which was
done ; while the rest of the company Avere fluttering down
into their seats, and evidently about to pay the greatest
attention. The cases in this midnight court seemed to be
conducted on a decidedly original plan, and with an easy
rapidity that would have electrified any other court, an-
cient or modern. Sir Norman took his stand, and eyed
his judges with a look half-contemptuous, half-defiant;
and the proceedings commenced by the dwarf's leaning
forward and breaking into a roar of laughter, right in his
face.

" My little friend, I warned you before not to be so
facetious," said Sir JSTorman, regarding him quietly ; " a
rush of mirth to the brain will certainly be the death of
you one of these days."

" No levity, young man ! " interposed the lord chancellor,
rebukingly ; " remember, you are addressing His Royal
Highness Prince Caliban, Spouse and Consort of Her Most
Gracious Majesty, Miranda ! "

" Indeed ! Then all I have to say is, that her majesty
has very bad taste in the selection of a husband, unless,
indeed, her wish was to marry the ugliest man in the
world, as she herself is the most beautiful of women ! "

Her majesty took not the slightest notice of this com-
pliment, not so much as a flutter of her drooping eyelashes

132

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

betrayed that she even heard it, but his highness laughed
until he was perfectly hoarse.

" Silence ! " shouted the duke, shocked and indignant
at this glaring disrespect, " and answer truthfully the
questions put to you. Your name, you say, is Sir Norman
Kingsley ? "

" Yes. Has your grace any objection to it ? "

His grace waved down the interruption with a dignified
wave of the hand, and went on with severe judicial
dignity.

" You are the same who shot Lord Ashley between this
and the city, some hours ago ? "

" I had the pleasure of shooting a highwayman there,
and my only regret is, I did not perform the same good
office by his companion, in the person of your noble self,
before you turned and fled."

A slight titter ran around the room, and the duke turned
crimson.

" These remarks are impertinent, and not to the purpose.
You are the murderer of Lord Ashley, let that suffice.
Probably you were on your way hither when you did the
deed?"

" He was," said the dwarf, vindictively. " I met him
at the ' Golden Crown ' but a short time after."

" Very well, that is another point settled, and either of
them is strong enough to seal his death-warrant. You
came here as a spy, to see and hear, and report — probably
you were sent by King Charles ? "

" Probably — just think as you please about it ! " said
Sir Norman, who knew his case was as desperate as it
could be, and was quite reckless what he answered.

" You own you are a spy, then ? "

" No such thing. I have owned nothing. As I told
you before, 3^()u are welcome to put what construction you
please on my ac.lions."

" Sir Norniiui Kingsl(\v, tliis is nonsensical equivocation !
You own you came to hear ;iu(l see?"

« Well V "

" VV(dl, hearing and seeing constitute spying, do they
not ? I'herefore, you are a spy."

" I own it looks like it. What next ? "

THE DOOM.

133

" Need you ask ? What is the fate of all spies ? "
" No matter what they are in other places, I am pretty
certain what they are here ! "
« And that is?"

" A room in black, and a chop with an ax — the Earl of
Gloucester's, in a word ! "

" You have said it ! Have you any reason why such a
sentence should not be pronounced on you ? "

" None ; pronounce it as soon as you like."

« With the greatest pleasure ! " said the duke, who had
been scrawling on another ominous roll of vellum, and
now passed it to the dwarf. " I never knew any one it
gave me more delight to condemn. Will your highness
pass that to her majesty for signature, and pronounce his
sentence."

His highness, with a grin of most exquisite delight, did
as directed ; and Sir Norman looked steadfastly at the
queen as she received it. One of the gauzy nymphs pre-
sented it to her, kneeling, and she took it vfith a look
half bored, half impatient, and lightly scrawled her auto-
graph. The long dark lashes didn't lift ; no change passed
over the calm, cold face, as icily placid as a frozen lake
in the mooiiliglit — evidently tlie life or death of the stran-
ger was nothing to her. To him she, too, was as nothing,
or nearl}^ so ; but yet there was a sharp, jarring pain at
111 8 heart, as he siw that fair hand, that had saved him
once, so coolly sign his death-warrant now. But there
was little time left to watch her; for, as she pushed it
impatiently away, and relapsed into her former proud
iistlessness, the dwarf got up mth one of his death's-head
grins and began :

" Sir Norman Kingsley, you've been tried and convicted
as a sp5^, and the T)aid hireling of the vindictive Charles ;
and the sentence of this court, over which I have the
honor to preside, is, that you be taken hence immediately
to the place of execution , and there lose your head by the
ax!"

" And a mighty small loss it will be ! " remarked the
duke to himself, in a sort of parenthesis, as the dwarf con-
cluded his i3leasa.nt observations by thrusting himself
forward across the table, after his rather discomposing'

134 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

fashion, and breaking out into one of his diabolical laugh-
ter-claps.

The queen, who had been sitting passive, and looking
as if she were in spirit a thousand miles away, now started
up with sharp suddenness, and favored his highness with
one of her fiercest fiery glances.

" Will your highness just permit somebody else to have
a voice in that matter ? How many more trials are to
come on to-night ? "

" Only one," replied the duke, glancing over a little roll
which he held ; " Lady Castlemaine's, for poisoning the
Duchess of Sutherland."

" And what is my Lady Castlemaine's fate to be ? "

" The same as our friend's here, in all probability," nod-
ding easily, not to say playfully, at Sir Norman.

" And how long will her trial last ? "

" Half an hour, or thereabouts. There are some secrets
in the matter that have to be investigated, and which will
require some time."

" Then let all the trials be over first, and all the behead-
ings take place together. We don't choose to take the
trouble of traveling to the Black Chamber just to see his
head chopped off, and then have the same journey to un-
dergo half an hour after, for a similar purpose. Call Lady
Castlemaine, and let this prisoner be taken to one of the
dungeons, and there remain until the time for execution.
Guards, do you hear ? Take him away ! "

The dwarf's face grew black as a thunder-cloud, and he
jumped to his feet, and confronted the queen with a look
so intensely ugly that no other eartlily face could have
assumed it. But that lady merely met it with one of
cold disdain and aversion, and, keeping her dark bright
eyes fixed chillingly upon him, waved her white hand, in
her imperious way, to the guards. Those warlike gentle-
men knew better than to disobey her most gracious
majesty, when she happened to be, like Mrs. Joe Gargary,
on the " rampage," wliicli, if lier flashing eye and a certain
expression ;i])()ut her liandsoiiie mouth spoke the truth,
must have been twenty liours out of the twenty-four. As
the soldiers api)roached to lead liim away. Sir Norman
tried to catch her eye ; but in vain, for she kept those

THE DOOM.

135

brilliant optics most unwinkingly fixed on the dwarf's
face.

" Call Lady Castlemaine ! " commanded the duke, as
Sir Norman with his guards passed through the doorway
leading to the Black Chamber. " Your highness, I pre-
sume, is ready to attend to her case ? "

" Before I attend to hers or any one else's case," said the
dwarf, hopping over the table like an over-grown toad;
" I will first see that this guest of ours is properly taken
care of, and does not leave us without the ceremony of
saying good-by ."

With which he seized one of the wax candles, and
trotted, with rather unprincely haste, after Sir Korman
and his conductors. The young knight had been led down
the same long passage he had walked through before ; but
instead of entering the chamber of horrors, they passed
through the center arch, and found themselves in another
long, vaulted corridor, dimly lit by the glow of the outer
one. It was as cold and dismal a place. Sir Norman
thought, as he had ever seen ; and it had an odor damp
and earthy, and of the grave. It had two or three great,
ponderous doors on either side, fastened with huge iron
bolts; and before one of these his conductors paused.
Just as they did so, the glimmer of the dwarf's taper
pierced the gloom, and the next moment, smiling from
ear to ear, he was by their side.

" Down with the bars ! " he cried. " This is the one
for him — the strongest and safest of them all. Now, my
dashing courtier, you will see how tenderly your little
friend provides for his favorites ! "

If Sir Norman made any reply, it was drowned in the
rattle and clank of the massive bars, and is hopelessly lost
to posterity. The huge door swung back ; but nothing
was visible but a black velvet pall, and an effluvia much
stronger than sweet. Involuntarily he recoiled, as one of
the guards made a motion for him to enter.

" Shove him in ! shove him in ! " shrieked the dwarf,
who was getting so excited with glee that he was dancing
about in a sort of jig of delight. " In with him — in with
him ! If he won't go peaceably, kick him in head-fore-
most ! "

136

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" I would strongly advise them not to try it," said Sir
Norman, as he stepped into the blackness, " if they have
any regard for their health ! It does not make much dif-
ference after all, my little friend, whether I spend the
next half hour in the inky blackness of this place, or the
blood- red grandeur of your royal court. My little friend,
until we meet again, permit me to say, aii revoir.''''

The dwarf laughed in his pleasant way, and pushed the
candle cautiously inside the door.

" Good- by for a little while, my dear young sir ; and
while the headsman is sharpening his ax, I'll leave you to
think about your little friend. Lest you should lack
amusement, I'll leave you a light to contemplate your
apartments ; and for fear you may get lonesome, these
two gentlemen will stand outside your door, with their
swords drawn, till I come back. Good- by, my dear young
sir — good-by ! "

The dungeon door swung to with a tremendous bang.
Sir Norman was barred in his prison to await his doom,
and the dwarf was skipping along the passage with spright-
liness, laughing as he went.

ESCAPED.

13T

CHAPTER XIII.

ESCAPED.

Probably not one of you, my dear friends, who glance
graciously over this, were ever shut up in a dungeon under
expectation of bearing the unpleasant operation of decapi-
tation within half an hour. It never happened to myself,
-either, that I can recollect ; so, of course, you or I person-
ally can form no idea what the sensation may be like ;
but in this particular case, tradition saith. Sir Norman
Ivingsley's state of mind, was decidedly depressed. As
the door shut violently, he leaned against it, and listened
to his jailers place the great bars into their sockets, and
felt he was shut in, in the dreariest, darkest, dismalest,
disagreeablest place that it had ever been his misfortune
to enter. He thought of Leoline and reflected that in all
probability she was sleeping the sleep of the just — per-
haps dreaming of him, and little knowing that his head
was to be cut off in half an hour.

In the course of time morning would come — it was not
likely the ordinary course of nature would be cut off be-
cause he was ; and Leoline would get up and dress herself,
and looking a thousand times prettier than ever, stand at
the window and wait for him. Ah ! she might wait —
much good would it do her ; about that time he would be
— where? It was a rather uncomfortable question, not
easily answered, and depressed him to a very desponding
degree indeed. He thought of Ormiston and La Masque
— no doubt they were billing and cooing in most approved
fashion just then, and never thinking of him ; though, but
for La Masque and his own folly, he might have been
half married by this time. He thought of Count
L'Estrange and Master Hubert, and became firmly con-
vinced, that if one did not find Leoline the other would ;

138

THE MIDNIGHT QIJEEN.

and each being equally bad, it was a toss up in agony
which got her. He thought of Queen Miranda, and of the
adage, " put no trust in princes," and sighed deeply as he
reflected what a bad sign of human nature it was — more
' particularly such handsome human nature — that she could,
figuratively speaking, pat him on the back one moment
and kick him to the scaffold the next. He thought deject-
edly, what a fool he was ever to have come back ; or even
having come back, not to have taken greater pains to stay
up aloft, instead of pitching abruptly head-foremost into
such a select company without an invitation. He thought,
too, what a cold, damp, unwholesome chamber they had
lodged him in, and how apt he would be to have a bad
attack of ague and rheumatic fevers, if they would only
let him live long enough to enjoy those blessings. And
this having brought him to the end of his melancholy
meditation, he began to reflect how he could best amuse
himself in the interim, before quitting this vale of tears.
The candle was still blinking feebly on the floor, shedding
tears of wax in its feeble prostration, and it suddenly re-
minded him of the dwarf's advice to examine his dark bow-
er of repose. So he picked it up and snuffed it with his fin-
gers, and held it aloof, much as Robinson Crusoe held the
brand in the dark cavern with the dead goat.

In the velvet pall of blackness before alluded to, its
small, wan ray pierced but a few inches, and only made
the darkness visible. But Sir Norman groped his way to
the wall, which he found to be all over green and noisome
slime ; and broken out into a clammy perspiration, as though
it Avere at its last gasp. By the aid of his friendly light,
for wliich he was really much obliged — a fact which, had
his little friend known, he would not have left it — he man-
aged to make the circuit of his prison, which he found
rather spacious, and by no means uninhabited ; for the
black walls and floor were covered witli fat, black beetles,
wli()l(^ families of wlii(!h interesting specimens of the bi-
sect-world he cruiK^lied remorselessly under foot, and mas-
sacred at every step ; and great depraved-looking rats,
with flashing eyes and sinister teetli, who made frantic
dives Jind ruslies at him, and bit at his jack-boots with
fury. These small (juadrupeds reminded him forcibly of

ESCAPED.

189

the dwarf, especially in the region of the eyes and the
general expression of countenance ; and he began to re-
flect that if the dwarf's soul (supposing him to possess
such an article as that, which seemed open to debate)
passed after death into the body of any other animal, it
would certainly be into that of a rat. He had just come

, to this conclusion, and was applying the flame of the can-
dle to the nose of an inquisitive beetle, when it struck him
he heard voices in altercation outside his door. One, clear,
ringing, and imperious, yet withal feminine, was certainly
not heard for the first time ; and the subued and respect-
ful voices that answered, were those of his guards.

After a moment, he heard the sound of withdrawing
bolts, and his heart beat fast. Surely, his half-hour had
not already expired ; and if it had, would she be the per-
son to conduct him to death? The door opened; a puff
of wind extinguished his candle, but not until he had
caught a glimmer of jewels, the shining of gold, and the
flutter of long, black hair ; and then some one came in.
The door was closed ; the bolts shot back — and he was
alone with Miranda, the queen. There was no trouble in
recognizing her, for she carried in her hand a small lamp,
which she held up between them, that its rays might fall
directly on both faces. Each was rather white, perhaps,
and one heart was going faster than it had ever gone be-

, fore, and that one was decidedly not the queen's. She
was dressed exactly as he had seen her, in purple and er-
mine, in jewels and gold ; and strangely out of place she
looked there, in her splendid dress and splendid beauty,
among the black beetles and rats. Her face might have
been a dead, blank wall, or cut out of cold, white stone,
for all it expressed ; and as she lightly held up her rich
robes in one hand, and in the other bore the light, the dark,
shining eyes were fixed on his face, and were as barren of
interest, eagerness, compassion, tenderness, or any other
feeling, as the shining, black glass ones of a wax doll. So
they stood looking at each other for some ten seconds or
so, and then, still looking full at him, Miranda spoke, and
her voice was as clear and emotionless as her eyes :

" Well, Sir N'orman Kingsley, I have come to see you
before you die."

140 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

"Madam," he stammered, scarcely knowing what he
said, " you are kind."

" Am I ? Perhaps you forget I signed your death
warrant."

" Probably it would have been at the risk of your own
life to refuse ? "

"Nothing of the kind ! Not one of them would hurt a
hair of my head if I refused to sign fifty death-warrants !
Now, am I kind ? "

" Very likely it would have amounted to the same thing
in the end — they would kill me whether you signed it or
not ; so what does it matter ? "

" You are mistaken ! They would not kill you ; at least,
not to-night, if I had not signed it. They would have let
you live until their next meeting, which will be this night
week : and I would have incurred neither risk nor danger
by refusing."

Sir Norman glanced round the dungeon and shrugged
his shoulders.

" I do not know that that prospect is much more invit-
ing than the present one. Even death is preferable to a
Aveek's imprisonment in a place like this."

"But in the mean time you might have escaped."

" Madam, look at this stone floor, that stone roof, those
solid walls, that barred and massive door ; reflect that I
am some forty feet under ground — cannot perform im-
possibilities, and then ask yourself how ? "

" Sir Norman, have you ever heard of good fairies visit-
ing brave knights and setting tliem free ! "

Sir Norman smiled.

"I am afraid the good fairies and brave knights went
the way of all flesh with King Artliuv's round table ; and
even if they were in existence, noiu^ of them would t ike
the trouble to lim]) dovvii so far to savc^ sucli an unlucky
dog as T."

"Then you forgiven luc for Avliat I Imvc done?"

" Your maj(!sty, 1 liavi; iiotliin,*;- to forgive."

" Hall !" slui said, scornfully. " Do not mock nu^ hcr(\
My maj(isty, forsootii ! you lia v(^ but liftcHMi miinites to live
in this world, Sir Norman ; and if you have no better way

ESCAPED.

141

of spending them, I will tell you a strange story — my own,
and all about this place."

" Madam, there is nothing in the world I would like so
much to hear."

" You shall hear it, then, and it may beguile the last
slow moments of time before you go out into eternity."

She set her lamp down on the floor among the rats and
beetles, and stood watching the small red flame a moment
with a gloomy, downcast eye ; and Sir Norman, gazing on
the beautiful darkening face, so like and yet so unlike
Leoline, stood eagerly awaiting what was to come.

Meantime the half hour sped. In the crimson court
the last trial was over, and Lady Castlemaine, a slender
little beauty of eighteen, stood condemned to die.

" Now for our other prisoner ! " exclaimed the dwarf
with sprightly animation ; " and while I go to the cell, you,
fair ladies, and you, my lord, will seek the black chamber
and await our coming there."

Ordering one of his attendants to precede him with a
light, the dwarf skipped jauntily away to gloat over his
victim. He reached the dungeon-door, which the guards,
with some trepidation in their countenance, as they
thought of what his highness would say when he found
her majesty locked in with the prisoner, threw open.

" Come forth, Sir Norman Kingsley ! " shouted the
dwarf, rushing in. " Come forth and meet your doom ! "

But no Sir Norman Kingsley obeyed the pleasant invi-
tation, and a dull echo from the interior alone answered
him. There was a lamp burning on the floor, and near it
lay a form, shining and specked with white in the gloom.
He made for it between fear and fury, but there was
something red and slippery on the ground, in which his
ioot slipped, and he fell. Simultaneously there was a wild
cry from the two guards and the attendant, that was
echoed by a perfect screech of rage from the dwarf, as on
looking down he beheld Queen Miranda lying on the floor
in the pool of blood, and apparently quite dead, and Sir
Norman Kingsley gone.

142 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER XIV.

m THE DUNGEON.

The interim between Miranda setting down her lamp
on the dungeon floor among the rats and the beetles, and
the dwarf's finding her bleeding and senseless, was not
more than twenty minutes, but a great deal may be done
in twenty minutes judiciously expended, and most de-
cidedly it was so in the present case. Both rats and
beetles paused to contemplate the flickering lamp, and
Miranda paused to contemplate them, and Sir Norman
paused to contemplate her for an instant or so in silence.
Her marvelous resemblance to Leoline, in all but one thing,
struck him more and more — there was the same beauti-
ful, transparent, colorless complexion, the same light,
straight, graceful figure, the same small, oval, delicate
features ; the same profuse waves of shining dark hair ;
the same large, dark, brilliant eyes ; the same little, rosy,
pretty mouth, like one of Correggio's smiling angels. The
one thing wanting was expression — in Leoline's face there
was a kind of childlike simplicity : a look half- shy, half-
fearless, half- solemn in her wonderful eyes ; but in this,
her prototype, there was nothing shy nor solemn ; all was
cold, hard, and glittering, and the brooding eyes were full
of a dull, dusky fire. She looked as hard and cold and
bitter as she was beautiful ; and Sir Norman began to
perplex himself inwardly as to what had brouglit her
here. Surely not sympathy, for nothing wearing that
face of stone, could even know the meaning of such a
word. Wliile ho looked at her, half-wonderingly, half-
pi tyi ugly, half- tenderly — a queer word that last, but the
feeling was caused l)y her rescunblance to Leoline — she
had been moodily watching an old gray rat, the patriarch

IN THE DUN^GEOK

143

of his tribe, who was making toward her in short runs,
stopping between each one to stare at her, out of his un-
pleasantly bright eyes. Suddenly, Miranda shut her teeth,
clenched her hands, and with a sort of fierce, suppressed
ejaculation, lifted her shining foot and planted it full on
the varmint's head. So sudden, so fierce, and so strong
Avas the stamp, that the rat was crushed flat, and uttered
a sharp and indignant squeal of expostulation, while Sir
Norman looked at her, thinking she had lost her wits.
Still she ground It down with a fiercer and stronger force
every second ; and with her eyes still fixed upon it, and
blazing with reddish black flame, she said, in a sort of
fiery hiss :

"Look at it! The ugly, loathsome thing! Did you
ever see anything look more like him ? "

There must have been some mysterious rapport between
them, for he understood at once to whom the solitary per-
sonal pronoun referred.

"Certainly, in the general expression of countenance
there is rather a marked resemblance, especially in the
region of the teeth and eyes."

" Except that the rat's eyes are a thousand times hand-
somer," she broke in, with a derisive laugh.

" But as to shape," resumed Sir Norman, eying the ex-
cited and astonished little animal, still shrilly squealing,
with the glance of a connoisseur, " I confess I do not see
it ! The rat is straight and shapely — which his highness,
with all reverence be it said — is not, but rather the re-
verse, if you will not be offended at me for saying so."

She broke into a short laugh that had a hard, metallic
ring, and then her face darkened, blackened, and she
ground the foot that crushed the rat fiercer, and with a
sort of passionate vindictiveness, as if she had the head
of the dwarf under her heel.

" I hate him 1 I hate him ! " she said, through her
clenched teeth, and though her tone was scarcely above a
whisper, it was so terrible in its fiery earnestness that Sir
Norman thrilled with repulsion. " Yes, I hate him with
all my. heart and soul, and I wish to heaven I had him
here, like this rat, to trample to death under my feet ! "

Not knowing very well what reply to make to this

144

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

strong and heartfelt speech, which rather shocked his no-
tions of female propriety, Sir Norman stood silent, and
looked reflectively after the rat, which, when she per-
mitted it at last to go free, limped away Avith an ineffably
sneaking and crestfallen expression on his hitherto ani-
mated featnres. She watched it, too, with a gloomy eye,
and when it crawled into the darkness and was gone, she
looked up with a face so dark and moody that it was al-
most sullen.

" Yes, I hate him ! " she repeated, with a fierce moodi-
ness that was quite dreadful, " yes, I hate him ! and I
would kill him, like that rat, if I could ! He has been the
curse of my whole life ; he has made life cursed to me ;
and his heart's blood shall be shed for it some day yet, I
swear ! "

With all her beauty there was something so horrible
in the look she wore, that Sir Norman involuntarily re-
coiled from her. Her sharp eyes noticed it, and both
grew red and fiery as two devouring flames.

" Ah ! you, too, shrink from me, would you ? You, too,
recoil in horror ! Ingrate ! And I have come to save
your life ! "

" Madam, I recoil not from you but from that which is
tempting you to utter words like these. I have no reason
to love him of whom you speak — you, perhaps, have even
less ; but I would not have his blood, shed in murder, on
my head, for ten thousand worlds ! Pardon me, but you
do not mean Avhat you say."

" Do I not ? That remains to be seen ! I Avould not
call it murder plunging a knife into the heart of a demon
incarnate like that, and I would have done it long ago,
and he knows it too, if I had the chance I "

" What has he done to you to make you so bitter against
him?"

"Bitter! Oh, tliat word is poor and pitiful to express
wliat I feel wlien liis name is mentioned. Loathing and
liatiiig come a little nearei" the mark, but even they are
Aveak to cx|)i'(!ss tlie utter — the — " She stopped in a sort
of white passion that choked her very words.

" Tliey told iiu; lie was your husband," insinuated Sir
Norman, unutterably repelled.

IN THE DU^^^GEON.

145

« Did they ? " she said, with a cold sneer, " he is tco —
at least as far as church and state can make him ; but I
am no more his wife at heart than I am Satan's. Truly
of the two I should prefer the latter, for then I should be
wedded to something grand — a fallen angel ; as it is, I
have the honor to be wife of a devil who never was an
angel ! "

At this shocking statement Sir Norman looked help-
lessly round, as if for relief ; and Miranda, after a mo-
ment's silence, broke into another mirthless laugh.

" Of all the pictures of ugliness you ever saw or heard
of. Sir Norman Kingsley, do tell me if there ever was one
of them half so repulsive or disgusting as that thing ? "

" Really," said Sir Norman, in a subdued tone, " he is
not the most prepossessing little man in the world ; but,
madam, you do look and speak in a manner quite dread-
ful. Do let me prevail on you to calm yourself, and tell
me your story, as you promised."

" Calm myself ! " repeated the gentle lady, in a tone
half snappish, half harsh, " do you think I am made of
iron, to tell you my story and be that ? I hate him ! I
hate him ! I hate him ! I would kill him if I could ; and
if you. Sir Norman, are half the man I take you to be,
you will rid the world of the horrible monster before
morning dawns ! "

" My dear lady, you seem to forget that the case is re-
versed, and that he is going to rid the world of me," said
Sir Norman, with a sigh.

" No, not if you do as I tell you ; and when I have told
you how much cause I have to abhor him, you will agree
with me tliat killing him will be no murder ! Oh, if there
is One above who rules this world, and will judge us all,
why, why does he permit such monsters to live ? "

" Because he is more merciful than his creatures," re-
plied Sir Norman, with calm reverence, " though His
avenging hand is heavy on this doomed city. But, madam,
time is on the wing, and the headsman will be here before
your story is told."

" Ah, that story ! How am I to tell it, I wonder. Two
words will comprise it all — sin and misery — misery and
sin ! For buried alive here, as I am ; buried alive, as I've

146

THE MIDKIGHT QUEEN^.

always been, I know what both words mean ; they have
been branded on heart and brain in letters of fire. And
that horrible monstrosity is the cause of it all ; that loath-
some, misshapen, hideous abortion has banned and cursed
my whole life ! He is my first recollection. As far back
as I can look through the dim maze of childhood's years,
that horrible face, that gnarled and twisted trunk, those
devilish eyes, mop and mow, and glare at me like the eyes
and face of a wild beast. As memory grows stronger and
more vivid, I can see that same face still — the dwarf ! the
dwarf ! the dwarf ! — Satan's true representative on earth,
darkening and blighting every passing year. I do not
know where we lived, but I imagine it to have been one
of the vilest and lowest dens in London, though the rooms
I occupied were, for that matter, decent and orderly
enough. Those rooms the daylight never entered, the
windows were boarded up within, and fastened by shutters
without, so that of the world beyond I was as ignorant
as a child of two hours old. I saw but two human faces,
his " — she seemed to hate him too much even to pro-
nounce his name — " and his housekeeper's, a creature al-
most as vile as himself, and who is now a servant here ;
and with this precious pair to guard me I grew up to be
fifteen years old. My outer life consisted of eating, sleep-
ing, reading — for the wretch taught me to read — playing
with my dogs and birds, and listening to old Margery's
stories. But there was an inward life, fierce and strong,
as it was rank and morbid, lived and brooded over alone,
when Margery and her master fancied me sleeping in
idiotic content. How were they to know that the creature
they had reared and made ever had a thought of her own
— ever wondered who she was, where she came from, what
' she was destined to be, and wliat lay in the great world
beyond ? The crooked little monster made a great mis-
take in teaching me how to read ; he should have known
that l)ooks sow seed that grow up and flourish tall and
green, till they become giants in strength. I knew enough
to be certain there was a briglit and glad world without,
from whicli they shut me in and debarred me; and I
knew (Miougli to hate them both for it, with a strong and
heartfelt liatred, only second to what I feel now."

IN THE DUNGEON.

147

She stopped for a moment, and fixed her dark, gloomy
eyes on the swarming floor, and shook off, without a shud-
der, the hideous things that crawled over her rich dress.
She had scarcely looked at Sir Norman since she began to
speak, but he had done enough looking for them both,
never once taking his eyes from the handsome darkening
face. He thought how strangely like her story was to
Leoline's, both shut in and isolated from the outer world.
Verily, destmy seemed to have woven the Avoof and Avarp
of their fates wonderfully together, for their lives were as
much the same as their faces. Miranda, having shook off
her crawling acquaintances, watched them glancing along
the foul floor in the darkness, and went moodily on.

" It was three years ago, when I was fifteen years bid,
as I told you, that a change took place in my life. Up to
that time that miserable dwarf was what people would
call my guardian, and did not trouble me much with
his heavenly company. He was a great deal from our
house, sometimes absent for weeks together ; and I remem-
ber I used to envy the freedom with which he came and
w^ent, far more than I ever wondered where he spent his
precious time. I did not know then that he belonged to
the honorable profession of highwaymen, with variations
of coining when travelers were few and money scarce.
He was then, and is still, at the head of a formidable gang,
over which he wields most desperate authority — as per-
haps you have noticed during the brief and pleasant period
of your acquaintance."

" Really, madam, it struck me that your authority over
them was much more despotic than his," said Sir Nor-
man, in all sincerity, feeling called upon to give the — well,
I'd rather not repeat the word, which is generally spelled
with a d and a dash — his due.

" No thanks, to him for that ! He would make me a
slave now as he did then, if he dare ; but he has found
that poor, trodden worm as I was, I had life enough left
to turn and sting."

" Which you do with a vengeance ! Oh ! you're a tar-
tar ! " remarked Sir Norman to himself. " The saints
forefend that Leoline should be like you in temper as she

148

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

is in history and face ; for if she is, my life promises to be
a pleasant one." •

" This rascally crew of cut- throats, whom his villainous
highness headed," said Miranda, " were an almost im-
mense number then, being divided in three bodies — Lon-
don cut-purses, Hounslow Heath highwaymen, and assist-
ant coiners, but all owning him for their lord and master.
He told me all this himself one day, when, in an after-din-
ner and most gracious mood, he made a boasting display of
his wealth and greatness ; told me I was growing up very
pretty indeed, and that I was shortly to be raised to the
honor, and dignity, and bliss of being his wife. I fancy I
must have had a very vague idea of what that one small
word meant, and was, besides, in an unusually contented
and peaceful state of mind, or I should, undoubtedly, have
raised one of his cut-glass decanters and smashed in his
head with it. I know how I should receive such an asser-
tion from him now, but I think I took it with a resigna-
tion then, he must have found mighty edifying ; and when
he went on to tell me that all this richness and greatness
were to be shared by me when that celestial time came, I
think I rather liked the idea than otherwise. The hor-
rible creature seemed to have woke up that day, for the
first time, and all of a sudden, to a conviction that I was
in a fair way to become a woman, and rather a handsome
one, and that he had better make sure of me before any
accident interfered to take me from him. Full of this
laudable notion, he became a daily visitor of mine from
thenceforth, and made the discovery, simultaneous with
myself, that the oftener he came tlie less favor he found
in my sight. I had before, tacitl}^ disliked him and
shrunk with a natural repulsion from his dreadful ugli-
ness ; but now, from negative dislike, I grew to positive
hate. The utter loatlnng and abhorrence I have lind for
him ever since, began then — I grew dimly and intuitively
conscious of what he would make mo, and slirunk from
my fatt^ with a vague horror not to l)c^ told in words. I
became strong in my fearful dread of it. 1 told him I de-
tested, abhorred, loathed, hated him ; that \u) might keep
his riclies, greatness, and ungainly self for those who
wanted him : tlu^y were temj^tations too weak to move me.

IN THE DUNGEON.

149

Of course, there was raving, and storming, threatening,
terrible looks and denunciations, and I quailed and shrunk
like a coward, but was obstinate still. Then as a dernier
ressort, he tried another bribe — the glorious one of liberty,
and the one he knew would conquer me, and it did. He
promised me freedom — if I married him I might go out
into the great unknown world, fetterless and free ; and I,
oh ! fool that I was ! consented. Not that my object was
to stay with him one instant longer, after my prison doors
Avere opened ; no, I was not quite so besotted as that —
once out, and the little demon might look for me with last
year's partridges. Of course, those demoniac eyes read
my heart like an open book ; and when I pronounced the
fatal ' yes,' he laughed in that delightful way of his own,
which will probably be the last thing you will hear when
you lay your head under the ax.

" I don't know who the clergyman tliat married us was ;
but he was a clergyman ; there can be no doubt about
that. It was three days after, and for the first time in
my fifteen years of life I stood in the sunshine, and
daylight, and open air. We drove to the cathedral — for
it was in St. Paul's the sacrilege was committed. I never
could have walked there, I was so stunned, and giddy, and
bewildered. I never thought of the marriage — I could
think of nothing but the bright, crashing, sunshiny world
without, till I was led up before the clergyman, with
much the air, I suppose, of one walking in her sleep. He
was a very young man, I remember, and looked from the
dwarf to me, and from me to the dwarf, in a great state of
fear and uncertainty, but evidently not daring to refuse.
Margery and one of his gang were our only attendants,
and there, in God's tem.ple, the deed was done, and I
was made the miserable thing I am to-day."

The suppressed passion, rising and throbbing like a
white flame in her face and eyes, made her stop for a mo-
ment, breathing hard. Looking up she met Sir Norman's
gaze and as if there was something in its quiet, pitying
tenderness that mesmerized her into calm, she steadily
and rapidly went on.

" I awoke to a new life after that ; but not to one of
freedom and happiness. I was as closely, even more

150 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

closely, guarded than ever ; and I found, when too late,
that I had bartered myself, soul and body, for an empty
l^romise. The only difference was, that I saw more new
faces ; for the dwarf began to bring his confederates and
subordinates to the house, and would have me dressed up
and displayed to them, with a demoniac pride that re-
volted me beyond everything else, as if I were a painted
puppet or an overgrown wax doll. Most of the precious
crew of cut- throats had wives of their own — some of them
a trifle of five or six, according to their fancy ; and these
began to be brought with them of an evening ; and then,
what with dancing, and music, and cards, and feasting, we
had quite a carnival of it till morning. I liked this part
of the business excessivtjly well at first, and I was flat-
tered and fooled to the top of my bent, and made, from
the first, the reigning belle and queen. There was more
policy in that than admiration, I fancy ; for the dwarf
was all-powerful among them, and dreaded accordingly,
and I was the dwarf's pet and plaything, and all-power-
ful with him. The hideous creature had a most hideous
passion for me then, and I could wind him round my fi.n-
ger as easily as Delilah did Samson; and by his com-
mand and their universal consent, the mimicry of royalty
was begun, and I was made mistress and sovereign head,
even over the dwarf himself. It was a queer whim ; but
that crooked slug was always taking such odd notions into
his head, which nobody there dared laugh at. The band
were bound together by a terrible oath, women and all ;
but they had to take another oath then, that of allegiance
to me. It quite turned my brain at first ; and my eyes
were so dazzled by the pitiful glistening of the pageant,
the sham splendor of tlie sham court, and the half-mocking,
half-serious homage paid me, that I could see nothing be-
yond the shining surface, and the blackness, and corrup-
tion, and horror within, were altogether lost upon me.
This feeling increased wlien, as months and months went
l)y, tliere were added to the mock peers of the Midnight
Court, real nobles from that of St. Charles. I did not
know then thattlic^y were ruined gamesters, vicious profli-
gates, and des[)erate broken-down roues, wlio would have
gone to x>iiiidemonium itself, niglitly, for the mad license

IN THE DUNGEON.

151

and lawless excesses they could indulge in here to their
heart's content. But I got tired of it all after a time ; my
eyes began slowly to open, and my heart — at least, what
little of that article I ever had — turned sick with hor-
ror within me at what I had done. The awful things
I saw, the fearful deeds that were perpetrated, would
curdle your very blood with horror were I to relate them.
You have seen a specimen yourself, in the cold-blooded
murder of that wretch, half an hour ago ; and his is not
the only life crying for vengeance on these men. The
slightest violation of their oath was punished, and the
doom of traitors and informers was instant death, whether
male or female. The sham trials and executions always
took place in presence of the whole court, to strike a salu-
tary horror into them, and never occurred but once a week,
when the whole band regularly met. My power con-
tinued undiminished ; for they knew either the dwarf or I
must be supreme ; and though the queen was bad, the
prince was worse. The said prince would willingly have
pulled me down from my eminence, and have mounted it
himself ; but that he was probably restrained by a feeling
that law-makers should not be law-break*ers, and that, if
he set the example, there would be no end to the insubor-
dination and rebellion that would follow."

" Were you living here or in London, then ? " inquired
Sir Norman, taking an advantage of a pause, employed by
Miranda in shaking off the crawling beetles.

" Oh, in London ! We did not come here until the out-
break of the plague — that frightened them, especially the
female portion, and they held a scared meeting, and re-
solved that we should take up our quarters somewhere
else. This place being old and ruined, and deserted, and
with all sorts of evil rumors hanging about it, was hit
U]Don ; and secretly, by night, these moldering old vaults
were fitted up, and the goods and chattels of the royal
court removed. And here I, too, was brought by night
under the dwarf's own eye ; for he well knew I would
have risked a thousand plagues to escape from him. And
here I have been ever since, and here the weekly revels
are still held, and may for years to come, unless something
is done to-night to prevent it. The night before these

152

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

weekly anniversaries they all gather ; but during the rest
of the time I am alone with Margery and the dwarf, and
have learned more secrets about this place than they dream
of. For the rest, there is little need of explanation — the
dwarf and his crew have industriously circulated the
rumor that it is haunted ; and some of those white figures
you saw with me, and who, by the way, are the daughters
of these robbers, have been shown on the broken battle-
ments, as if to put the fact beyond doubt. ISTow, Sir Nor-
man, that is all — you have heard my whole history as far
as I know it ; and nothing remains but to tell you what
you must see yourself, that I am mad for revenge, and
must have it, and you must help me ! "

Her eyes were shining with the fierce red fire he had
seen in them before, and the white face wore a look so
deadly and diabolical that, with all its beauty, it was ab-
solutely repulsive. He took a step from her — for in each
of those gleaming eyes sat a devil.

" You must help me ! " she persisted. " You — you. Sir
Norman ! For many a day I've been waiting for a chance
like this, and until now I have waited in vain. Alone, I
want physical strength to kill him, and I dare not trust
any one else. No one was ever cast among us before as
you have been ; and now, condemned to die, you must be
be desperate, and desperate men will do desperate things.
Fate, Destiny, Providence, whatever you like, has thrown
you in my way, and help me you must and shall ! "

" Madam, madam ! what are you saying ? How can I
help you ! "

" There is but one way — this ! "

She held up in the pale ray of the lamp something she
drew from the folds of her dress, tliat glistened blue, and
bright, and steely in the gloom.

"A dagger ! " he exclaimed, with a shudder, and a re-
coil. " Madam, are you talking of murder '? "

" I told you ! " slie said, through her closed teeth, and
with her eyes flaming like fire, " that ridding the earth of
that fiend incarnate would be a good deed, and no nnir-
der! I would do it myself if I could take him ott' his
guard ; but lie never is tliat with me ; and then my arm is
not strong enough to rea(^h his l)lack heart through all

IN THE DUNGEOK

15B

that mass of brawn, and blood, and muscle. Ko, Sir
Norman, Doom has allotted it to you — obey, and I swear
to you, you shall go free : refuse — and in ten minutes
your head will roll under the executioner's ax ! "

" Better that than the freedom you offer !' Madam, I
cannot murder ! "

" Coward ! " she passionately cried ; " you fear to do it,
and yet you have but a life to lose, and that is lost to you
now ! "

Sir Norman raised his head ; and even in the darkness
she saw the haughty flush that crimsoned his face.

" I fear no man living ; but, madam, I fear One who is
higher than man ! "

" But you will die if you refuse ; and I repeat, again and
again, there is no risk. These guards will not let you
out ; but there are more ways of leaving a room than
through the door, and I can lead you up behind the
tapestry to where he is standing, and you can stab him
through the back, and escape with me ! Quick, quick,
there is no time to lose ! "

" I cannot do it ! " he said, resolutely, drawing back and
and folding his arms. " In short, I will not do it."

There was such a terrible look in the beautiful eyes,
that he half-expected to see her spring at him like a wild-
cat, and bury the dagger in his own breast. But the rule
of life works by contraries ; expect a blow and you will
get a kiss, look for an embrace, and you will be startled
by a kick. When the virago spoke, her voice was calm,
compared with what it had been before, even mild.

" You refuse ? Well, a wilful man must have his way ;
and since you are so qualmish about a little blood-letting,
we must try another plan. If I release you, for short as
the time is, I can do it — -will you promise me to go direct
to the king this very night, and inform him of all you've
seen and heard here ? "

She looked at him with an eagerness that was almost
tierce ; and in spite of her steady voice, there was some-
thing throbbing and quivering, deadly and terrible, in
her upturned face. The form she looked at was erect
and immovable, the eyes were quietly resolved, the mouth
half-pityingly, half -sadly smiling.

164

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN".

" Are you aware, dear lady, what the result of such a
step would be ? "

" Death ! " she said, coldly.

"Death, transportation, or lifelong imprisonment to
them all — misery and disgrace to many a noble house ; for
some I saw there were once friends of mine, with families
I honor and respect. Could I bring the dwarf and his at-
tendant imps to Tyburn, and treat them to a hempen cra-
vat, I would do it without remorse — though the notion of
being informer, even then, would not be very pleasant ;
but as it is, I cannot be the death of one without ruining
all, and as I told you, some of those were once my friends.
No, madam, I cannot do it. I have but once to die, and I
prefer death here to purchasing life at such a price."

There was a short silence, during which they gazed
into each other's eyes ominously, and one was about as
colorless as the other. Then —

" You refuse ? " she coldly said. . -

" I must ! But if you can save my life, as you say, why,
not do it, and fly with me ? You will find me the truest
and most grateful of friends, while life remains."

" You are very kind ; but I want no friendship. Sir Nor-
man— nothing but revenge ! As to escaping, I could have
done that any time, since we came here, for I have found
out a secret means of exit from each of these vaults, that
they know nothing of. But I have stayed to see him dead
at my feet — if not by my hand, at least, by my connnand ;
and since you will not do it I will make the attempt my-
self. Farewell, Sir Norman Kingsley; before many
minutes you will be a helpless corpse, and your blood be
upon yourself ! "

Slic gave him a glance as coldly fierce as her dagger's
glan(3e, and turned to go, when he stepped hastily for-
ward and interposed.

" Miranda — Miranda — you are crazed I Stop and tell
me what yon intend to do."

" What you feared to attempt," she haughtily replied ;
fiheathe this dagger in his demon heart ! "

m THE DUNGEO]^.

155

" Miranda, give me the dagger. You must not, you
shall not, commit such a crime ! "

" Shall not ? she uttered scornfully. " And who are
you that -dares to speak to me like this ? Stand aside,
coward, and let me pass !

" Pardon me, but T cannot, while you hold that dagger.
Give it to me, and you shall go free ; but, while you hold
it with this intention, for your own sake, I will detain
you till some one comes."

She uttered a low, fierce cry, and struck at him with it,
but he caught her hand, and with sudden force snatched
it from her. In doing so he was obliged to hold it with
its point towards her, and struggling for it in a sort of
frenzy, as he raised the hand that held it, she slipped
forward and it was driven half-way to the hilt in her
side. There was a low, gasping cry — a sudden clasping
of both hands over her heart, a sway, a reel, and she fell
headlong prostrate on ihe loathsome floor.

Sir Norman stood paralyzed. She half -raised herself
on her elbow, drew the diigger from the wound, and a
great jet of blood shot up and crimsoned her hands. She
did not faint — there seemed to be a deathless energy
within her that chained life strongly in its place — she
only pressed both hands hard over the wound, and looked
mournfully and reproachfully up in his face. Those
beautiful, sad, solemn eyes, void of everything savage
and fierce were truly Leoline's eyes now. Through all his
first shock of horror another thing dawned on his mind : he
had looked on this scene before. It was the second view
in La Masque's caldron, and but one remained to be
verified. The next instant he was down on his knees in
a paroxysm of grief and despair.

What have I done ? what have I done ? " was his cry.

" Listen ! " she said, faintly, raising one finger. " Do
you hear that ? "

Distant steps were echoing along the passage. Yes ;
he heard them, and knew what they were.

" They are coming to lead you to death ! " she said,
with some of her old fire ; " but I will baffle them yet.
Take that lamp — go to the wall yonder, and in that cor-
ner, near the floor, you will see a small iron ring. Pull

156

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

it — it does not require much force — and you will find an
opening leading through another vault ; at the end there
is a broken flight of stairs, mount them, and you will find
yourself in the same place from which you fell. Fly, fly !
There is not a second to lose ! "

" How can I fly ? how can I leave you dying here ? "

" I am not dying ! " she wildly cried, lifting both hands
from the wound to push him away, while the blood
flowed over the floor. " But we will both die if you stay.
Go — go — go ! "

The footsteps had paused at his door. The bolts were
beginning to be withdrawn. He lifted the lamp, flew
across his prison, found the ring, and took a pull at it
with desperate strength. Part of what appeared to be
the solid wall drew out, disclosing an aperture through
which he could just squeeze sideways. Quick as thought
he was through, forgetting the lamp in his haste. The
portion of the wall slid noiselessly back, just as the
prison-door was thrown open, and the dwarf's voice was
heard, socially inviting him, like Mrs. Bond's ducks, to
come and be killed.

Some people talk of darkness so palpable that it may
be felt, and, if ever any one was qualified to tell from ex-
X)erience what it felt like. Sir Norman was in that precise
condition at that precise period. He groped his way
througli the blind darkness along what seemed an inter-
minable distance, and stumbled, at last, over the broken
stairs at the end. With some difficulty, and at the seri-
ous risk of his jugular, he mounted tliom, and found him-
self, as Miranda hwd statcul, in a ])lace he knew very well.
Once here, iHMillowed no gv;iss to grow under liis i'vi)t ;
and in five niiinilcs nflcr, to liis gri\it dcligh(., ho found

liinisclf where, he h;i(l nexer lioped (o h(^ again- -in the

sereiK; moonlight, aii'l (he o|>en air, I'elierless and free.
IJis liorse was slill wliere he had lel'l him, and in a, ( wink-
ling he, was on his back, and dashing away to the city,
iA> love — to Lcoline I

LEOLINE'S VISITORS.

157

CHAPTER XV.

leoline's visitoes.

If things were done twice — but they are not, and never
will be, while this whirligig world of mistakes spins
round, and all Adam's children, to the end of the chapter,
will continue sinning to-day and repenting to-morrow,
falling the next and bewailing it the day after. If Leoline
had gone to bed directly, like a good, dutiful little girl,
as Sir Norman ordered her, she would have saved her-
self a good deal of trouble and tears ; but Leoline and
sleep were destined to shake hands and turn their backs
on each other that night. It was time for all honest folks
to be in bed, and the dark-eyed beauty knew it, too, but
she had no notion of going, nevertheless. She stood in
the center of the room, where he had left her, with a spot
like a scarlet roseberry on either cheek ; a soft, half-smile
on the perfect mouth and a light, inexpressibly tender
and dreamy, in those Artesian wells of beauty — her eyes.
Most young girls of green and tender years, suffering
from " Love's young dream," and that sort of thing, have
just that soft, shy, brooding look, whenever their thoughts
happen to turn to their particular beloved ; and there are
few eyes so ugly that it does not beautify, even should
they be as cross as two sticks. You should have seen
Leoline standing in the center of her pretty room, with
her bright rose- satin glancing, and glittering and flowing
over rug and mat ; with her black waving hair clustering
and curling like shining floss silk ; with a rich white
shimmer of pearls on the pale smooth forehead and large
beautiful arms. She did look irresistibly bewitching, be
yond doubt ; and it was just as well for Sir Norman's
peace of mind that he did not see her, for he was bad
enough without that. So she stood thinking tenderly of

158 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

him for a half-hour or so, quite undisturbed by the storm ;
and how strange it was that she had risen up that very
morning expecting to be one man's bride, and that she
should rise up the next, expecting to be another's. Bhe
could not realize it at all ; and with a little sigh — half-
pleasure, half-presentiment — she walked to the window,
drew the curtain, and looked out at the night. All was
peaceful and serene ; the moon was full to overflowing,
and a great deal of extra light ran over the brim ; quite a
quantity of stars were out, and were winking pleasantly
down at the dark little planet below, that went round
and round with grim stoicism, and paid no attention to
anybody's business but its own. She saw the heaps of
black, charred ashes that the rush of raiU' had quenched ;
she saw the still and empty street ; the frowning row of
gloomy houses opposite, and the man on guard before
one of them. She had watched that man all day, think-
ing, with a sick shudder, of the plague- stricken prisoners
he guarded, and reading its piteous inscription. " Lord,
have mercy on us ! " till the words seemed branded on her
brain. While she looked now, an upper window was
opened, a night- cap was thrust out and a voice from its
cavernous depths hailed the guard.

" Robert ! I say, Robert ! "

" Well ? " said Robert, looking up.

" Master and Missus be gone at last, and the rest won't
live till morning."

" Won't they ? " said Robert, phlegmatically ; " what a
j)ity ! Get 'em ready, and I'll stop the dead-cart when it
comes round."

Just as he spoke, the well-known rattle of wheels, the
loud ringing of tlie l)ell, and tlie monotonous cry of the
driver, "Bring out your dead! l)riiig out youi- dead!"
echoed on th(i paki nif^hl's silc.nci^ ; and tlic ix'si-cnrl. cjinie
rumbling and joliin^- along with its load of (Uwlli. The
Ava.tchrnan hailed tlu; driver, according to ])]'()mise, and
th(!y ent(!r(Ml the liouse togn^t her, brought out owe h)ng,
whil,e figni'(i, and th(!n anoMuM-, and thrc^w Ihein on to}) of
tli(! ghastly ]ur,i]).

" VV(;'I1 liav(^ thi'cc^ mon^ tV)r yon in an hour oi* so (lon't
rf)rget to couu) I'ound," sngg(\sted the waUvhman.

LEOLINE'S VISITORS. 159

" All right ! " said the driver, as he took his place,
whipped his horse, rung his bell, and jogged along non-
chalantly to the plague-pit.

Sick at heart, Leoline dropped the curtain, and turned
round to see — somebody else standing at her elbow. She
had been quite alone when she looked out : she was alone
no longer ; there had been no noise, yet some one had en-
tered, and was standing beside her. A tall figure, all in
black, with its sweeping velvet robes spangled with stars
of golden rubies, a perfect figure of incomparable grace
and beauty. It had worn a cloak that had dropped lightly
from its shoulders, and lay on the floor, and the long hair
streamed in darkness over shoulder and waist. The face
was masked, the form stood erect and perfectly motionless,
and the scream of surprise and consternation that arose
to Leoline's lips died out in wordless terror. Her noise-
less visitor preceived it, and touching her arm lightly with
one little white hand, said in her sweetest and most ex-
quisite of tones.

" My child, do not tremble so, and do not look so deathly
white. You know me, do you not ? "

" You are La Masque ? " said Leoline, trembling with
nervous dread.

" I am, and no stranger to you : though perhaps you
think so. Is it your habit every night to look out of your
window in full dress until morning ? "

" How did you enter ? " asked Leoline, her curiosity
overcoming for a moment even her fear.

" Through the door. Not a difficult thing, either, if you
leave it wide open every night, as it is this."

" Was it open ? " said Leoline, in dismay. " I never
knew it."

" Ah ! then it was not you why went out last. Who
was it ? "

"It was — was — " Leoline's cheeks were scarlet; "it
was a friend ! "

" A somewhat late hour for one's friends to visit them,"
said La Masque, sarcastically; "and you should learn
the precaution of seeing them to the door and fastening it
after them."

" Rest assured I shall do so for the future," said Leoline,

160 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

with a look that would have reminded Sir Norman of
Miranda, had he seen it. " I scarcely expected the honor
of any more visits, particularly from strangers, to-night."

" Civil, that ! Will you ask me to sit down, or am I to
consider myself an unseasonable intruder, and depart V "

" Madame, will you do me the honor to be seated. The
hour, as you say, is somcAvhat unseasonable, and you will
oblige me by letting me know to Avhat I am indebted for
the pleasure of this visit, as quickly as possible."

There was something quite dignified about Mistress
Leoline, as she swept rustling past La Masque, sunk into
the pillowy depths of her lounge, and motioned her visitor
to a seat with a slight and graceful wave of her hand.
Not but that in her secret heart she was a good deal
frightened, for something under her pink satin corsage
was going pit-a-pat at a wonderful rate ; but she thought
that betraying such a feeling would not be the thing.
Perhaps the tall, dark figure saw it, and smiled behind her
mask ; but outwardly she only leaned lightly against the
back of the chair, and glanced discreetly at the door.

" Are you sure we are quite alone ? "

" Quite."

" Because," said La Masque, m her low, silvery tones,
" What I have come to say is not for the ears of any third
person living."

" We are entirely alone. Madam," replied Leoline,
opening her black eyes very Avide. " Prudence is gone,
and I do not know when she will be back."

"Prudence will never come back," said La Masque
quietly.

« Madame ! "

" My dear, do not look so shocked — it is none of her
fault. You know she deserted you for fear of the plague."
" Yes, yes ! "

" Well, that did not save her ; nay, it even brought on
what she dreaded so much. Your nurse is plague- stricken,
my dear, and lies ill unto death in tlie pest-liousc^ in Fins-
Iniry Fields."

" Oil, dr(;adful ! " exclaimed Leoline, while every drop
of blood fled from her face. " My poor, poor old luii'se ! "
" Yonr j)0()r, poor old ]uirs(^ left you without nuicli

ease.

drov(

que, ii
all hu
carried
not?"

" Yes,'
over at tli^

" And was

" By two g

" Oh, I kno\

" One was IV
blushing vividi

La Masque le^
linger lightly on

" And for whic

"Madame, wa?
here ? " said Leol
hot red spot grew
cuse my declining

" Child, child ! '
sad that it touch
It is no idle cur
ask impertinent
you, stronger tha

Leoline's beaul

"A claim upc
stand."

" All in good
your past history, i^e^..

"Madame Masque, I havo
life I have lived alone with Pru*^
of it in nine words."

La Masque half laughed.

" Short, sharp, and decisive. Had you
or mother ? "

" There is a slight probability I may have

ever

ohing
d left

ce that

outward
:ird voice

cells false-
ler are both

her face with
'-aid her hand

"ace ! What is

ther."

were dead, but
3w them when

hey ? "

^ess, and they —
" and again La

le, passionately,
you know any-
0 and leave me

; and as to the
-ecu else do you sup-
i^ook here ! Do you see

^ some hidden pocket in her dress a
liully wrought casket of ivory and silver,
.iid clasps of silver, and a tiny key of the

.''"asked Looliuc, looking from it to her, with
iK air of one utterly at a loss.

LEOLINE'S VISITORS.

163

"In this casket, my dear, there is a roll of papers,
closely written, which you are to read as soon as I leave
you. Those papers contain your whole history — do you
understand ? "

She was looking so white and staring so hard and so
hopelessly, that there was no need of the question. She
took the casket and gazed at it with a bewildered air.

" My child, have your thoughts gone wool-gathering ?
Do you not comprehend what I have said to you ? Your
whole history is hid in that box ? "

" I know," said Leoline, slowly, and with her eyes again
riveted to the black mask. " But, madame, who are you ? "

" Have I not told you ? What a pretty inquisitor it is !
I am La Masque — your friend, now ; something more
soon, as you will see when you read what I have spoken
of. Do not ask me how I have come by it — you will
read all about it there. I do not know that I would give
it to you to-night, but I have a strange foreboding that it
is destined to be my last on earth. And, Leoline, my
child, before I leave you, let me hear you say you will
not hate me when you read what is there."

"What have you done to me. Why should I hate
you ? "

" Ah ! you. will find that all out soon enough. Do con-
tent me, Leoline — let me hear you say : ' La Masque,
whatever you have done to me, however you have wronged
me, I will forgive you ! ' Can you say that? "

-Leoline repeated it simply, like a little child. La Masque
took her hand, held it between both her own, leaned over
and looked earnestly in her face.

" My little Leoline ! my beautiful rosebud ! May God
bless you and grant you a long and happy life with —
shall I say it, Leoline ? "

" Please — no ! " whispered Leoline, shyly.

La Masque softly patted the little tremulous hand.

" We are both saying the name now in our hearts, my
dear, so it is little matter whether our lips repeat it or
not. He is worthy of you, Leoline, and your life will be
a happy one by his side ; but there is another." She
paused and lowered her voice. " When have you seen
Comit L'Estrange ? "

164

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Not since yesterday, madame."

" Beware of him ! Do you know who he is, Leoline ? "

" I know nothing of him but his name."

" Then do not seek to know," said LaMasque, emphat-
ically. " For it is a secret you would tremble to hear.
And now I must leave you — come with me to the door,
and fasten it as soon as I go out, lest you should forget
it altogether. "

Leoline, with a sort of dazed bewilderment, thrust the
precious little casket into the bosom of her dress, and
taking up the lamp, preceded her visitor down-stairs.
At the door they paused, and La Masque, with her hand
on her arm, repeated, in a low, earnest voice :

" Leoline, beware of Count L'Estrange, and become
Lady Kingsley as soon as you can I "

" I will bear that name to-morrow ! " thought Leoline,
with a glad little thrill at her heart, as La Masque flitted
out into the moonlight. And she closed and locked the
door, driving the bolts into their sockets, and making all
secure. " I defy any one to get in again to-night ! " she
said, smiling at her own dexterity ; and lamp in hand,
she ran lightly up- stairs to read the long unsolved riddle.
So eager was she, that she had crossed the room, laid the
lamp on the table, and sat down before it, ere she became
aware that she was not alone. Some one was leaning
against the mantel, his arm on it, and his eyes on her,
gazing with an air of incomparable coolness and ease. It
was a man this time — something more than a man, a
count, and Count L'Estrange, at that !

Leoline sprung to her feet with a wild scream, a cry
full of terror, amaze, and superstitious dread ; and the
count raised his hand with a self-possessed smile.

Pardon, fair Leoline, if I intrude ! But have I not a
right to come at all hours and visit my bride ? "

" Leoline is no bride of yours ! " retorted that young
lady, passionately, her indignation overpowering both
fear and surprise;. " And what is more, never will be !
Now, sir ! "

" So my little bird of paradise can fire up, I see ! As to
your being my l)ride, tliat remains to be seen. You prom-
ised to be to-night, you know ! "

LEOLINE'S VISITORS,

165

" Then I'll recall that promise. I have changed my
mind."

" Well, that's not very astonishing ; it is but the privi-
lege of your sex ! Nevertheless, I'm afraid I must insist
on your becoming Countess L'Estrange, and that im-
mediately ! "

" Never, sir ! I Avill die first ! "

" Oh no ! We could not spare such a bright little
beauty out of this ugly world ! You will live, and live
for me ! "

" Sir ! " cried Leoline, white with passion, and her
black eyes blazing with a fire that would have killed him,
could fiery glances slay, " I do not know how you have
entered here ; but I do know, if you are a gentleman, you
will leave me instantly ! Go, sir ! I never wish to see
you again ! "

"But Avhen I wish to see you so much, my darling
Leoline," said the count, with provoking indifference,
" what does a little reluctance on your part signify ? Get
your hood and mantle, my love — my horse awaits us
without — and let us fly where neither plague nor mortal
man will interrupt our nuptials ! "

" Will no one take this man away ? " she cried, look-
ing helplessly round, and wringing her hands.

" Certainly not, my dear — not even Sir Norman King-
sley ! George, I am afraid this pretty little vixen will
not go peaceably ; you had better come in."

With a smile on his face, he took a step toward her.
Shrieking wildly, she darted across the room, and made
for the door just as somebody else was entering it. The
next instant a shaAvl was thrown over her head, her cries
smothered in it, and she was lifted in a pair of strong
arms, carried down-stairs, and out into the night.

166

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

CHAPTER XVI.

THE TIIIED VISION.

Presentiments are strange things. From the first
moment Sir ISTorman entered the city, and his thoughts
had been able to leave Miranda and find themselves
wholly on Leoline, a heavy foreboding of evil to her had
oppressed him. Some danger, he was sure, had befallen
her during his absence — how could it be otherwise with
the Earl of Rochester and Count L'Estrange both on her
track? Perhaps, by this time, one or other had found
her, and alone and unaided she had been an easy victim,
and was now borne beyond his reach forever. The
thought goaded him and his horse almost to distraction ;
for the moment it struck him, he struck spurs into his
horse, making that unoffending animal jump spasmodi-
cally, like one of those prancing steeds Miss Bonheur is
fond of depicting. Through the streets he flew at a frantic
rate, growing more excited and full of apprehensions the
nearer he came to old London Bridge ; and calling him-
self a select litany of hard names inwardly, for having
left the dear little thing at all.

" If I find her safe and well," thought Sir Norman,
emphatically, " nothing short of an earthquake or dying
of the plague will ever induce me to leave her again, un-
til she is Lady Kingsley, and in the old manor at Devon-
shire. What a fool, and idiot, and ninny I must have
been, to have left her as I did, knowing those two sleuth-
hounds were in full chase ! What are all the Mirandas
and midniglit (puions to me, if L(5oline is lost?"

That last ([ii(;sti(>n was addixjssod to the elements in
geiKiral ; and as lliey disdained re[)ly, he cantered on furi-
ously, till the old house by the river was reached. It

THE THIRD YISIO^^.

167

was the third time that night he had paused to contem-
plate it, and each time with very different feelings ; first,
from simple curiosity ; second, in an ecstasy of delight,
and third and last, in an agony of apprehension. All
around was peaceful and still; moon and stars sailed
serenely through a sky of silver and snow ; a faint cool
breeze floated up from the river and fanned his hot and
fevered forehead ; the whole city lay wrapped in stillness,
as profound and deathlike as the fabled one of the marble
prince in the Eastern tale — nothing living moved abroad
but the lonely night-guard keeping their dreary vigils be-
fore the plague- stricken houses, and the ever-present,
ever-busy pest-cart, with its mournful bell and dreadful
cry. As far as Sir Norman could see, no other human
being but himself and the solitary watchman, so often
mentioned, were visible. Even he could scarcely be said
to be present ; for, though leaning against the house with
his halbert on his shoulder, he was sound asleep at his
post, and far away in the land of dreams. It was the sec-
ond night of his watch ; and with a good conscience and
a sound digestion, there is no earthly anguish short of
the toothache strong enough to keep a man awake two
nights in succession. So sound were his balmy slumbers
in his airy chamber that not even the loud clatter of Sir
Norman's horse's hoofs proved strong enough to arouse
him ; and that young gentleman, after glancing at him,
made up his mind to try to find out for himself before
arousing him to seek information. Securing his horse,
he looked up at the house with wistfully earnest eyes,
and saw that the solitary light still burned in her cham-
ber. It struck him now how very imprudent it was to
keep that lamp burning ; for if Count L'Estrange saw it,
it was all up with Leoline — and there was even more to
be dreaded from him than from the earl. How was he
to find out whether that illuminated chamber had a ten-
ant or not ? Certainly, standing there staring till dooms-
day would not do it ; and there seemed but two ways,
that of entering the house at once, or arousing the man.
But the man was sleeping so soundly that it seemed a
pity to awake him for a trifle ; and, after all, there could
be no great harm or indiscretion in his entering to see if

I

168 THE MIDIsaGHT QUEEN.

his bride was safe. Probably Leoline was asleep, and
would know nothing about it ; or, even were she wide
awake, and watchful, she was altogether too sensible a
girl to be displeased at his anxiety about her. If she
were still awake, and waiting for day-dawn, he resolved
to stay with her and keep her from feeling lonesome un-
til that time came — if she were asleep, he would steal out
softly again, and keep guard at her door until morning.
Full of these praiseworthy resolutions, he tried the handle
of the door, half expecting to find it locked, and himself
obliged to perpetrate an entrance through the window ;
but no, it yielded to his touch and he went in. Hall and
staircase were intensely dark, but he knew his way with-
out a pilot this time, and steered clear of all shoals and
quicksands, through the hall and up the stairs. The
door of the lighted room — Leoline's room — lay wide open,
and he paused on the threshold to reconnoiter. He had
gone softly for fear of startling her, and now, with the
same tender caution, he glanced round the room. The
lamp burned on the dainty dressing-table, where undis-
turbed lay jewels, perfume-bottles, sprinkling-glass and
mirror. The cithern lay unmolested on the couch, the
rich curtains were drawn ; everything was as he had left
it last — everything but the pretty pink figure, with droop-
ing eyes, and pearls in the waves of her rich black hair.
He looked round for the things she had worn, hoping she
had taken them off and retired to rest, but they were not
to be seen ; and with a cold sinking of the heart, he went
noiselessly across the room, and to the bed. It was empty,
and showed no trace of having been otherwise since he
and the pest-cart driver had borne from it the apparently
lifeless form of Leoline. Yes, she was gone ; and Sir
Norman turned for a moment so sick with utter dread
that he leaned against one of the tall carved posts, and
hated himself for having left her with a heartlessness that
his worst enemy could not have surpassed. Tlien aroused
into new and spasmodic energy by the exigency of the
case, lie seized tho l;unp, and going out into the hall, made
the house ring from l)asement to attic with her name,
no reply l)ut that hollow, melancholy echo that sounds
80 lugul)riously tlirougli emi)ty houses, was returned; and

THE THIRD VISION.

169

he jumped down-stairs with an impetuous rush, flinging
back every door in the hall below with a crash, and flying
wildly from room to room. In solemn, grim repose they
lay; but none of them held the bright figure in rose-satin
he sought. And he left them in despair, and went back
to her chamber again. " Leoline ! Leoline ! Leoline ! " he
called, while he rushed impetuously up-stairs, and down-
stairs, and in my lady's chamber ; but Leoline answered
not — perhaps never would answer more ! Even " hoping
against hope," he had given up the chase at last — no Leo-
line did that house hold; and with this conviction de-
spairingly impressed on his mind. Sir Norman Kingsley
covered his face with his hands, and uttered a dismal
groan. Yet, forlorn as was the case, he groaned but
once, " only that and nothing more " ; there was no time
for such small luxuries as groaning and tearing his hair,
and boiling over with wrath and vengeance against the
human race generally, and those two diabolical specimens
of it, the Earl of Rochester and Count L'Estrange, par-
ticularly. He plunged head-foremost down-stairs, and
out of the door. There he was impetuously brought up
all standing ; for somebody stood before it, gazing up at
the gloomy front with as much earnestness as he had
done himself, and against this individual he rushed reck-
lessly with the shock that nearly sent the pair of them
over into the kennel.

" Sacr-r-re ! " cried a shrill voice, in tones of indignant
remonstrance. " What do you mean, monsieur ? Are
you drunk, or crazy, that you come running head-fore-
most into peaceable citizens, and throAving them heels up-
permost on the king's highway ? Stand off, sir ! and think
yourself lucky that I don't run you through with my dirk
for such an insult ! "

At the first sound of the outraged treble tones. Sir
Norman had started back, and glared upon the speaker
with much the same expression of countenance as an in-
censed tiger. The orator of the spirited address had
stooped to pick up his plumed cap, and recover his center
of gravity, which was considerably knocked out of place
by the unexpected collision, and held forth with very
flashing eyes, and altogether too angry to recognize his

170 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN".

auditor. Sir Norman waited until he had done, and then
springing at him, grabbed him by the collar.

« You young hound," he exclaimed, fairly lifting him
off his feet with one hand, and shaking him as if he would
have wriggled him out of hose and doublet. " You infer-
nal young jackanapes ! I'll run you through in less than
two minutes, if you don't tell me where you have taken
her."

The astonishment, not to say consternation, of Master
Hubert — for that small young gentleman and no other it
was — on having his ideas thus shaken out of him, was
unbounded, and held him perfectly speechless, while Sir
Norman glared at and shook him in a way that would
have instantaneously killed him if his looks were light-
ning. The boy had recognized his aggressor, and after
his first galvanic shock, struggled like a little hero to free
himself, and at length succeeded by an artful spring.

" Sir Norman Kingsley," he cried, keeping a safe yard
or two of pavement between him and that infuriated young
knight, " have you gone mad, or what, in Heaven's name,
is the meaning of all this ? "

" It means," exclaimed Sir Norman, drawing his sword,
and flourishing it within an inch of the boy's curly head,
" that you'll be a dead page in less than half a minute,
without you tell me immediately where she has been
taken to."

" Where who has been taken to ? " inquired Hubert,
opening his bright and indignant black eyes in a way
that reminded Sir Norman forcibly of Leoline. " Pardon,
monsieur, I don't understand at all."

" You young villain ! Do you mean to stand up there
and tell me to my face that you have not searched for her,
and found her, and have carried her oft' ? "

" Why, do you mean the lady we were talking of, that
was saved from the river ? " asked Hubert, a new light
dawning upon him.

" Do I mean the lady we were talking of ?" repeated
Sir Norman, with anotlier furious flourish of liis sword.
"Yes, I do mean the lady we were talking of ; jind what's
more — I mean to pin you where you stand, against that

THE THIRD VISION.

171

wall, unless you tell me instantly, where she has been
taken."

" Monsieur ! " exclaimed the boy, raising his hand with
an earnestness there was no mistaking, " I do assure you,
upon my honor, that I know nothing of the lady what-
ever ; that I have not found her ; that I have never set
eyes on her since the earl saved her from the river."

The earnest tone of truth, would, in itself, almost have
convinced Sir Norman, but it was not that, that made
him drop his sword and wilt so suddenly down. The
pale, startled face ; the dark, solemn eyes, were so exactly
Leoline's that they thrilled him through and through, and
almost made him believe, for a moment, he was talking to
Leoline himself.

" Are you — are you sure you are not Leoline ? " he in-
quired, almost convinced, for an instant, by the marvelous
resemblance, that it was really so.

"Me? Positively, Sir Norman, I cannot understand
this at all, unless you wish to enjoy yourself at my ex-
pense."

" Look here. Master Hubert ! " said Sir Norman, with a
sudden. change of look and tone. "If you do not under-
stand, I shall just tell you, in a word or two, how matters
are, and then let me hear you clear yourself. You know
the lady we were talking about, that Lord Rochester
picked up afloat, and sent you in search of ? "

" Yes — yes."

" Well," went on Sir Norman, with a sort of grim stoi-
cism. " After leaving you, I started on a little expedition
of my own, two miles from the city, from which expedi-
tion I returned ten minutes ago. When I left the lady
was secure and safe in this house ; when I came back she
was gone. You were in search of her — had told me your-
self you were determined on finding her, and having
her carried off ; and now, my youthful friend, put this
and that together," with a momentary returning glare,
" and see what it amounts to ! "

" It amounts to this ! " retorted his youthful friend,
stoutly ; that I know nothing whatever about it. You
may make oat a case of strong circumstantial evidence

172

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

against me ; but if the lady has been carried off, I have
had no hand in it."

Again Sir Norman was staggered by the frank, bold
gaze and truthful voice, but still the string was in a
tangle somewhere.

" And where have you been ever since ? " he began^
severely, and with the air of a lawyer about to go into
rigid cross-examination.

" Searching for her," was the prompt reply.

" Where?"

" Through the streets ; in the pest-houses, and at the
plague-pit."

" How did you find out she lived here ? "

" I did not find it out. When I became convinced she
was in none of the places I have mentioned, I gave up
the search in despair, for to-night, and was returning to
his lordship to report my ill success."

" Why then, were you standing in front of her house,
gaping at it with all the eyes in your head, as if it were
the eighth wonder of the world ? "

" Monsieur has not the most courteous way of asking
questions that I ever heard of ; but I have no particular
objection to answer him. It struck me that, as Mr. Ormis-
ton brought the lady up this way, and as I saw you and
he haunting this place so much to-night, I thought her
residence was somewhere here, and I paused to look at
the house as I went along. In fact, I intended to ask old
sleepy-head, over there, for further particulars, before I
left the neighborhood, had not you. Sir Norman, run bolt
into me, and knocked every idea clean out of my head."

" And you are sure you are not Leoline ? " said Sir
Norman, suspiciously.

" To the best of my belief, Sir Norman, I am not," re-
pli(Ml Hubert, reflectively.

" Well, it is all very strange, and very aggravating,"
said Sir Norman, sigliing and sheathing his sword. " She
is gone, at all evcnits ; no doubt alxMit tliat — and if you
have not carried her off, some])()dy else has."

" I*(^rli}ii)s she has gone h(ii's(^lf," insinuated Hubert.

" P>ah ! (ioiHi herself!" said Sir Norman, scornfully.
** The idea is beneath contempt I I tell you, Master Fine-

THE THIRD VlSIOlSr.

173

feathers, the lady and I were to be married bright and
early to-morrow morning, and leave this disgusting city
for Devonshire. Do you suppose, then, she would run
out in the small hours of the morning, and go prancing
about the streets, or eloping with herself ? "

" Why, of course. Sir Norman, I can't take it upon my-
self to answer positively ; but, to use the mildest phrase,
I must say the lady seems decidedly eccentric, and capable
of doing very queer things. 1 hope, however, you believe
me ; for I earnestly assure you I never laid eyes on her
but that once."

" I believe you," said Sir E'orman, with another pro-
found and broken-hearted sigh, " and I'm only too sure
she has been abducted by that consummate scoundrel
and treacherous villain, Count L'Estrange."

" Count who ? " said Hubert, with a quick start, and a
look of intense curiosity. " What was the name ? "

" L'Estrange — a scoundrel of the deepest dye ! Per-
haps you know him ? "

" No," replied Hubert, with a queer, half -musing smile,
" no ; but I have a notion I have heard the name. Was
he a rival of yours ? "

" I should think so ! He was to have been married to
the lady this very night."

" He was, eh ? And what stopped the match ? "

" She took the plague ! " said Sir Norman, strange to
say, not at all offended at the boy's familiarity. " And
would have been thrown into the plague-pit but for me,
and when she recovered she accepted me and cast him
off ! "

" A quick exchange ! The lady's heart must be most
flexible, or unusually large, to be able to hold so many at
once."

" It never held him," said Sir Norman, frowning ; " she
was forced into the marriage by her mercenary friends.
Oh ! if I had him here, wouldn't I make him wish the
highwaymen had shot him through the head and done
for him, before I would let him go ! "

" What is he like — this Count L'Estrange ? " said
Hubert, carelessly.

" Like tha blackhearted traitor and villain he is ! " re-

174

THE MIDNIGHT QUEET^.

plied Sir Norman, with more energy than truth ; for he
had caught but passing glimpses of the count's features,
and those showed him they were decidedly prepossessing ;
" and he slinks along like a coward and and an abductor
as he is, in a slouched hat and shadowy cloak. Oh ! if I
had him here ! " repeated Sir Norman, with vivacity,
"wouldn't I—"

" Yes, of course you would," interposed Hubert, " and
serve him right, too! Have you made any inquiries
about the matter — for instance, of our friend, slseping
the sleep of the just, across there ? "

ujSTo— why?"

" Why, it seems to me, if she's been carried off before
he fell asleep, he has probably heard or seen something
of it ; and I think it would not be a bad plan to step over
and inquire."

" Well, we can try," said Sir Norman, with a despair-
ing face ; " but I know it will end in disappointment and
vexation of spirit, like all the rest ! "

With which dismal view of things, he crossed the
street side by side with his jaunty young friend. The
watchman was still enjoying the balmy, and snoring in
short, sharp snorts, when Master Hubert remorselessly
caught him by the shoulder, and began a series of shakes
and pokes, and digs, and " hallos ! " and " wake ups ! "
while Sir Norman stood near and contemplated the scene
with a pensive eye. At last, after undergoing a severe
course of this treatment the watchman was induced to
oper\ his eyes on this mortal life, and transfix the two be-
holders with an intensely vacant and blank stare.

" Hey ? " he inquired, helplessly. " What was you
a-saying of, gentlemen ? What was it ? "

" We weren't a-saying of any tiling as yet," returned
Hubert ; "but we mean to, shortly ! Are you quite sure
you are wide awake ? "

"What do you want?" was the cross-question, given
by w;iy of answer. " What do you come bollioi'iug me
for fit such a rate, all night, T want to know ? "

" Keep civil, friend, we wear swords," said Hubert,
touching, with dignity, the hilt of a little dagger he

THE THIRD VISION.

175

carried ; " we only want to ask you a few questions.
First, do you see that house over yonder ? "

" Oh ! I see it," said the man, gruffly ; " I'm not
blind ! "

" Well, who was the last person you saw come out of
that house ? "

" I don't know who they was ! " still more gruffly.

" I ain't got the pleasure of their acquaintance ! "

" Did you see a young lady come out of it lately ? "

" Did I see a young lady ? " burst out the watchman,
in a high key of aggrieved expostulation. " How many
more times this blessed night am I to be asked about that
young lady ? First and foremost, there comes two young
men which this here is one of them, and they take out
the young lady and have her hauled away in the dead-
cart ; then comes along another, as wants to know all
the particulars, and by the time he gets properly away,
somebody else comes and brings her back like a drowned
rat. Then all sorts of people goes in and out, till I get
tired looking at them, and then fall asleep, and before
I've been in that condition above a minute, you two
come punching me and waking me up to ask questions
about her ? I wish that young lady was in Jericho — I
do ! " said the watchman, with smothered growl.

" Come, come, my man," said Hubert, slapping him
soothingly on the shoulder. " Don't be savage, if you
can help it ! This gentleman has a gold coin in some of
his pockets, I know, and it will fall to you if you keep quiet
and answer decently. Tell me how many have been in
that house since the young lady was brought back like
a drowned rat ? "

"How many? ".said the man, meditatively, with his
eyes fixed on Sir Norman's garments, and he, perceiving
that, immediately gave him the promised coin to refresh
his memory, which it did with amazing quickness. " How
many — ah — let me see ; there was the young man that
brought her in and left her there, and came out again and
went away. By-and-by he came back with another,
which I think this as gave me the money is him. After
a little they came out, first the other one, then this one,
and went off ; and the next that went in was a tall

176

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

woman in black, with a mask on, and right behind her
there came two men ; the woman in the mask came out
after a while ; and about ten minutes after, the two men
followed, and one of them carried something in his arms,
that didn't look unlike a lady with her head in a shawl.
Anything wrong, sir ? " as Sir Norman gave a violent
start and caught Hubert by the arm.

" Nothing ! Where did they carry her to ? What did
they do with her ? Go on ! go on ! "

" Well," said the watchman, eying the speaker curiously,
" I'm going to. They went along, down to the river,
both of them, and I saw a boat shove off, shortly after,
and that something, with its head in a shawl, lying as
peaceable as a lamb, with one of the two beside it. That's
all— I went asleep about then, till you two were shaking
me and waking me up."

Sir Norman and Hubert looked at each other, one be-
tween despair and rage, the other with a thoughtful, half-
inquiring air, as if he had some secret to tell, and was
mentally questioning whether it was safe to do to. On
the whole, he seemed to come to the conclusion, that a
silent tongue maketh a wise head, and nodding and say-
ing, " Thank you ! " to the watchman, he passed his arm
through Sir Norman's, and drew him back to the door
of Leoline's house.

a There is a light within," he said, looking up at it ;
how comes that ? "

" I found the lamp burning when I returned, and every-
thing undisturbed. They must have entered noiselessly,
and carried her off without a struggle," replied Sir Nor-
man, with a sort of groan.

" Have you searched the house — searclied it Avell ?"

" Thoroughly — from top to bottom ! "

"It seems to me there ought to hv, some trace. Will
you come back with me and look again? "

" It is no use ; l)ut there is nothing else I can do ; so
come along ! "

They entered tho house, and Sir Norman led tlie page
directly to Leoline's room, where tli(^ light was.

" I left her here when I went away, and here the lamp

THE THIRD VISION.

17T

"vvas burning Avhen I came back ; so ib must have been from
this room she was taken."

Hubert was gazing slowly and critically round, taking
note of everything. Something glistened and flashed on
the floor, under the mantel, and he went over and picked
it up.

" What have you there ? " asked Sir Norman, in sur-
prise ; for the boy had started so suddenly, and flushed
so violently, that it might have astonished any one.

" Only a shoe-buckle — a gentleman's— do you recognize
it '? "

Though he spoke in his usual careless way, and half-
hummed the air of one of Lord Rochester's love songs, he
watched him keenly as he examined it. It was a dia-
mond buckle, exquisitely set, and of great beauty and
value ; but Sir Norman knew nothing of it.

" There are initials upon it — see there ! " said Hubert,
pointing, and still watching him with the same powerful
glance. " The letters C. W. That can't stand for Count
L'Estrange."

" Who then can it stand for ? " inquired Sir Norman,
looking at him fixedly, and with far more penetration
than the court page had given him credit for. " I am
certain you know."

" I suspect ! " said the boy, emphaticallj^, " nothing more ;
and if it is as I believe, I will bring you news of Leoline
before you are two hours older."

" How am I to know you are not deceiving me, and will
not betray her into the power of the Earl of Rochester —
if, indeed, she be not in his power already."

" She is not in it, and never will be through me ! I
feel an odd interest in this matter, and I will be true to
you. Sir Norman — though why I should be, I really don't
know. I give you my word of honor that I will do what
I can to find Leoline, and restore her to you ; and I have
never yet broken my word of honor to any man," said
Hubert, drawing himself up.

" Well, I will trust you, because I cannot do anything
better," said Sir. Norman, rather dolefully , " but why
not let me go with you '? "

178 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

" No, no ! that would never do ! I must go alone, and
you must trust me implicitly. Give me your hand upon
it."

They shook hands silently, went down- stairs, and
stood for a moment at the door.

" You'll find me here at any hour between this and
morning," said Sir Norman; "farewell now, and God
speed you ! "

The boy waved his hand in adieu, and started off at a
sharp pace. Sir Norman turned in the opposite direction
for a short walk, to cool the fever in his blood, and think
over all that had happened. As he went slowly along, in
the shadow of the houses, he suddenly tripped up over
something lying in his path, and was nearly precipitated
over it. Stooping down to examine the stumbling-block,
it proved to be the rigid body of a man, and that man
was Ormiston, stark and dead, with his face upturned to
the calm night-sky.

THE HIDDEN FACE.

179

CHAPTER XYII.

THE HIDDEN FACE,

When Mr. Malcolm Ormiston, with his usual good
sense and penetration, took himself off, and left Leoline
and Sir N'orman tete-a-tete^ his steps turned as mechanically
as the needle to the North Star toward La Masque's house.
Before it he wandered, around it he wandered, like an un-
easy ghost, lost in speculation about the hidden face, and
fearfully impatient about the flight of time. If La Masque
saw him hovering aloof and unable to tear himself away,
perhaps it might touch her obdurate heart, and cause her
to shorten the dreary interval, and summon him to her
presence at once. Just then some one opened the door,
and his heart began to beat with anticipation ; some one
pronounced his name, and, going over, he saw the ani-
mated bag of bones — otherwise his lady-love's vassal
and porter.

" La Masque says," began the attenuated lackey, and
Ormiston's heart nearly jumped out of his mouth, " that
she can't have anybody hanging about her house like its
shadow ; and she wants you to go away, and keep away,
till the time comes she has mentioned."

So saying, the skeleton shut the door, and Ormiston's
heart went down to zero. There being nothing for it but
obedience, however, he slowly and reluctantly turned
away, feeling in his iDones, that if ever he came to the bliss
and ecstasy of calling La Masque Mrs. Ormiston, the gray
mare in his stable would be by a long odds the better horse.
Unintentionally his steps turned to the water-side, and he
descended the flight of stairs, determined to get into a
boat and watch the illumination from the river. Late

180

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

as was the hour, the Thames seemed alive with wherries
and barges, and their numerous lights danced along the
surface like fireflies over a marsh. A gay barge, gilded
and cushioned, was going slowly past; and as he stood
directly under the lamp, he was recognized by a gentleman
within it, who leaned over and hailed him :
" Ormiston. I say, Ormiston."

" Well, my lord," said Ormiston, recognizing the hand-
some face and animated voice of the Earl of Rochester.

" Have you any engagement for the next half -hour ? If
not, do me the favor to take a seat here, and watch Lon-
don in flames from the river."

" With all my heart," said Ormiston, running down to
the water's edge, and leaping into the boat. " With all
this bustle of life around here, one would think it were
noonday instead of midnight."

" The whole city is astir about these fires. Have you
any idea they will be successful ? "

" Not the least. You know, my lord, the prediction
runs, that the plague will rage till the living are no longer
able to bury the dead."

" It will soon come to that," said the earl, shuddering
slightly, " if it continues increasing much longer as it does
now daily. How do the bills of mortality run to-day ? "

"I have not heard. Hark! There goes St. Paul's,
tolling twelve."

" And there goes a flash of fire — the first among many.
Look, look ! How they spring up into the black dark-
ness."

" They will not do it long. Look at the sky, my
lord."

The earl glanced up at the midnight sky, of a dull and
dingy red color, except where black and heavy clouds
were heaving like angry billows, all dingy with smoke and
streaked with bars of inflamed fiery red.

" I see ! There is a storm coming, and ;i heavy one!
Our wortliy burglicrs and most worshi j)t'ul iortl mayor
will se(; their fires extinguished sliortly, and themselves
sent liome with a wet jacket."

"And for weeks, almost months, there has not fallen
a drop of rain," remarked Ormiston, gravely.

THE IIIDDEISr FACE.

181

« A remarkable coincidence, truly. There seems to be
a fatality hanging over this devoted city."

" I wonder your lordship remains ? " ?

The earl shrugged his shoulders significantly.

" It is not so easy leaving it as you think, Mr. Ormis-
ton ; but I am to turn my back to it to-morrow for a brief
period. You are aware, I suppose that the court leaves
before daybreak for Oxford ? "

" I believe I have heard something of it — how long to
remain ? "

" Till Old Rowlie takes it into his head to come back
again " said the earl, familiarly " which will probably be
in a week or two. Look at that sky, all black and scarlet ;
and look at those people — I scarcely thought there were
half the number left alive in London."

" Even the sick have come out to-night," said Ormiston.
" Half the pest- stricken of the city have left their beds,
full of new-born hope. One would think it were a car-
nival."

" So it is — a carnival of death ! I hope, Ormiston," said
the earl, looking at him with a light laugh, " the pretty
little white fairy we rescued from the river is not one of
the sick parading the streets."

Ormiston looked grave.

" No, my lord, I think she is not. I left her safe and
secure."

" Who is she, Ormiston ? " coaxed the earl, laughingly.
" Pshaw, man ! don't make a mountain out of a mole-hill !
Tell me her name ? "

" Her name is Leoline."

"What else?"

" That is just what I would like to have some one tell
me. I give you my honor, my lord, I do not know."

The earl's face, half-indignant, half incredulous, wholly
curious, made Ormiston smile.

" It is a positive fact, my lord. I asked her her name,
and she told me Leoline — a pretty title enough, but rather
unsatisfactory."

" How long have you knoMm her ? "

" To the best of my belief," said Ormiston, musingly,..
*' about four hours."

182

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Nonsense ! " cried the earl, energetically.

" What are you telling me, Ormiston ? You said she
was an old friend."

" I beg your pardon, my lord, I said no such thing. I
told you she had escaped from her friends, which was
►strictly true."

" Then how the demon had you the impudence to come
up and carry her off in that style ? I certainly had a
better right to her than you — the right of discovery ; and
I shall call upon you to deliver her up ! "

" If she belonged to me I should only be too happy to
oblige your lordship," laughed Ormiston ; " but she is at
present the property of Sir Norman Kingsley, and to him
you mast apply."

" Ah ! His inamorata, is she ? Well, I must say his
taste is excellent ; but I should think you ought to know
her name, since you and he are noted for being a modern
Damon and Pythias."

"Probably I should, my lord, only Sir Norman, un-
fortunately, does not know himself."

The earl's countenance looked so utterly blank at this
announcement that Ormiston was forced to throw in a
word of explanation.

" I mean to say, my lord, that he has fallen in love with
her ; and, judging from appearances, I should say his
flame is not altogether hopeless, although they have met
to-night for the first time."

" A rapid i)assion. Where have you left her, Ormis-
ton?"

« In her own house, my lord," Ormiston replied, smiling
quietly to himself.
« Where is that ? "

" About a dozen yards from where I stood when you
called me."

" Who are her family ? " continued the earl, who seemed
possessed of a devouring curiosity.

" Slie has none that T know of. I imagine Mistress
Ijcoline is an orphan. T know tlicre was not a living soul
but ourselves in the house I brought her to."

" And you left her there alone ? " exclaimed the earl,

THE HIDDEN FACE.

183

half starting vip, as if about to order the boatman to row
back to the landing.

Ormiston looked at his excited face with a glance full
of quiet malice.

" No, my lord, not quite ; Sir Norman Kingsley was
with her ! "

" Oh ! " said the earl, smiling back with a look of chag-
rin. " Then he Avill probably find out her name before he
comes away. I wonder you could give her up so easily
to him after all your trouble ! "

" Smitten, my lord ? " inquired Ormiston, maliciously.

" Hopelessly ! " replied the earl, with a deep sigh.
" She was a perfect little beauty ; and if I can find her,
I warn Sir Norman Kingsley to take care. I have al-
ready sent Hubert out in search of her, and, by the way."
said the earl, with a sudden increase of animation, " what
a wonderful resemblence she bears to Hubert — I could al-
most swear they were one and the same ! "

" The likeness is marvelous ; but I should hate to take
such an oath. I confess I am somewhat curious myself ;
but I stand no chance of having it gratified before to-
morrow, I suppose."

" How those fires blaze ! It is ten degrees brighter
than noonday. Show me the house in which Leoline
lives?"

Ormiston easily pointed it out, and showed the earl the
light still burning in her window.

" It was in that room we found her first, dead of the
plague ! "

" Dead of the what ? " cried the earl, aghast.

" Dead of the plague ! I'll tell your lordship how it
was," said Ormiston, who forthwith commenced and re-
lated the story of their finding Leoline ; of the resuscita-
tion at the plague-pit ; of the flight from Sir Norman's
house, and of the delirious plunge into the river, and mir-
aculous cure.

" A marvelous story," commented the earl, much inter-
ested. " And Leoline seems to have as many lives as a
cat ! Who can she be — a princess in disguise — eh, Orm-
iston ? "

" She looks fit to be a princess, or anything else ; but

184

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

your lordship knoAvs as much about her, now, as I do."

" You say she was dressed as a bride — how came that ? "

" Simply enough. She was to be married to-night, had
she not taken the plague instead."

" Married ? Why, I thought you told me a few min-
utes ago she was in love with Kingsley. It seems to me,
Mr. Ormiston, your remarks are a trifle inconsistent," said
the earl, in a tone of astonished displeasure.

" Nevertheless, they are all perfectly true. Mistress
Leoline was to have been married, as I told you ; but she
Avas to have been married to please her friends, and not
herself. She had been in the habit of watching Kingsley
go past her window ; and the way she blushed, and went
though the other little motions convinces me that his
course of true love will run as smooth as this glassy river
runs at present."

" Kingsley is a lucky fellow. Will the discarded suitor
have no voice in the matter, or is he such a simpleton as
to give her up at a word ? "

Ormiston laughed.

" Ah ! to be sure, Avhat will the count say ? And, judg-
ing from gome things I've heard, I should say he is
violently in love with her."

" Count who ? " asked Rochester. " Or has he, like his
lady-love, no other name ? "

"Oh, no! The name of the gentleman who was so
nearly blessed for life, and missed it, is Count L'Estrange ! "

The earl had been lying listlessly back, only half intent
upon his answer, as he watched the fire ; but now he
s})rung sharply up, and stared Ormiston full in the face.

" Count what did you say ? " was his eager question
while his eyes, more eager than his voice, strove to read
the reply before it was repeated.

" Count L'Estrange. You know him, my lord ? " said
Ormiston, qui(^tly.

" All ! " said tlu^ earl. And then such a strange, meaning
smile went wandering about his face. "I have not said
that! So his njiine is (Vmnt T^'Estrange ? Well, I don't
wondcir now at the girl's bc^auty."

The carl sunk ba(;k to his former nonchalant position,
and fell for a moment or two into deep nuising; and then,

THE HIDDEN FACE. 185

?is if the whole thmg struck him in a new and ludicrous
light, he broke out into an immoderate fit of laughter.
Ormiston looked at him curiously.

" It is my turn to ask questions, now, my lord. Who
is Count L'Estrange ? "

" I know of no such a person, Ormiston. I was thinking
of something else ! Was it Leoline who told you that was
her lover's name ? "

No ; I heard it by mere accident from another person.
I am sure, if Leoline is not a personage in disguise, he is."

" And why do you think so ? "

" An inward conviction, my lord. So you will not tell
me who he is ? "

" Have I not told you I know of no such person as
Count L'Estrange ? You ought to believe me. Oh, here
it comes."

This last was addressed to a great drop of rain, which
splashed heavily on his upturned face, followed by an-
other and another, in quick succession.

" The storm is upon us," said the earl, sitting up and
wrapping his cloak closer around him, " and I am for
Whitehall. Shall we land you, Ormiston, or take you
there, too ? "

" I must land," said Ormiston. " I have a pressing en-
gagement for the next half-hour. Here it is, in a perfect
deluge : the fires will be out in five minutes."

The barge touched the stairs, and Ormiston sprung out,
with " good-night " to the earl. The rain was rushing
along, now, in torrents, and he ran up- stairs and darted
into an archway of the bridge, to seek for shelter. Some
one else had come there before him, in search of the same
thing; for he saw two dark figures standing within it as
he entered.

" A sudden storm," was Ormis ton's salutation, " and a
furious one. There go the fires — hiss and splutter. I
knew how it would be."

"Then Sauland Mr. Ormiston are among the proph-
ets?"

Ormiston had heard that voice before ; it was associated
in his mind with a slouched hat and shadowy cloak ; and
l)y the fast-fading flicker of the firelight, he saw that both

186 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

were here. The speaker was Count L'Estrange, the figure
beside him, slender and boyish, was unknown.

" You have the advantage of me, sir," he said, affect-
ing ignorance. " May I ask who you are ? "

" Certainly. A gentleman, by courtesy and the grace
of God."

" And your name ? "

" Count L'Estrange, at your service."

Ormiston lifted his cap and bowed, with a feeling, some-
how, that the count was a man in authority.

" Mr Ormiston assisted in doing a good deed to-night,
for a friend of mine," said the count. " Will he add to
that obligation by telling me if he has not discovered her
again, and brought her back ? "

" Do you refer to the fair lady in yonder house ? "

" So she is there ? I thought so, George," said the count,
addressing himself to his companion. " Yes, I refer to
her, the lady you saved from the river. You brought
her there ."

" I brought her there," replied Ormiston.

" She is there still ? "

" I presume so. I have heard nothing to the contrary."
" And alone ? "

" She may be, now. Sir Norman Kingsley was with
her when I left her, " said Ormiston, administering the fact
with infinite relish.

There was a moment's silence. Ormiston could not
see the the count's face ; but, judging from his own feel-
ings, he fancied its expression must be sweet. The wild
rush of the storm alone broke the silence, until the spirit
again moved the count to speak.

" By what right does Sir Norman Kingsley visit her ? "
he inquired, in a voice betokening not the least particle
of emotion.

" By the best of rights — that of her preserver, hoping
soon to be lier lover. "

There was another brief silence, broken again by tlio
count, in tlie same composed tone :

" SiiHic the lady hohls her levee so late, J, too, must
liave a word with her, when this deluge permits one to
go abroad without danger of drowning. "

THE HIDDEIsr FACE.

187

« It shows symptoms of clearing off, already, " said
Ormiston, who, in his secret heart, thought it would be
an excellent joke to bring the rivals face to face in the
lady's presence ; " so you will not have long to wait."

To which observation the count replied not ; and the
three stood in silence, watching the hurry and fury of the
storm.

Gradually it cleared away ; and as the moon began to
struggle out between the rifts in the clouds, the count saw
something by her pale light that Ormiston saw not. That
latter gentleman, standing with his back to the house of
Leoline, and his face toward that of La Masque, did not
observe the return of Sir Norman from St. Paul's, nor look
after him as he rode away. But the count did both ; and
ten minutes after, when the rain had entirely ceased, and
the moon and stars got the better of the clouds in their
struggle for supremacy, he beheld La Masque flitting like
a dark shadow in the same direction, and vanishing in at
Leoline's door. The same instant, Ormiston started to go.

" The storm has entirely ceased," he said, stepping out
and with the profound air of one making a new discovery,
" and we are likely to have fine weather for the remainder
of the night — or rather morning. Good-night, count. "

" Farewell," said the count, as he and his companion
came out from the shadow of the archway, and turned to
follow La Masque.

Ormiston, thinking the hour of waiting had elapsed,
and feeling much more interested in the coming meeting
than in Leoline or her visitors, paid very little attention
to his two acquaintances. He saw them, it is true, enter
Leoline's house, but at the same instant, he took up his
post at La Masque's doorway, and concentrated his whole
attention on that piece of architecture. Every moment
seemed like a week now ; and before he had stood at his
post five minutes, he had worked himself up into a perfect
fever of impatience. Sometimes he was inclined to knock
and seek La Masque in her own home ; but as often the fear
of a chilling rebuke paralyzed his hand when he raised it.
He was so sure she was within the house, that he never
thought of looking for her elsewhere ; and when, at the
expiration of what seemed to him a century or two, but

188

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

which in reality was about a quarter of an hour, there was
a soft rustling of drapery behind him, and the sweetest
of voices sounded in his ear, it fairly made him bound.

" Here again, Mr. Ormiston ? Is this the fiftli or sixth
time I've found you in this place to-night ? "

"La Masque I" he cried, between joy and surprise.
" But surely, I was not totally unexpected this time ? "

" Perhaps not. You are waiting here for me to redeem
my promise, I suppose ? "

" Can you doubt it ? Since I knew you first I have de-
sired this hour, as the blind desire sight."

" Ah ! And you will find it as sweet to look back upon
as you have to look forward to," said La Masque, de-
risively. " If you are wise for your self, Mr. Ormiston^
you will pause here, and give me back that fatal word."

" Never, madame ! And surely you will not be so piti-
lessly cruel as to draw back now ? "

" No, I have promised, and I shall perform ; and let the
consequences be what they may, they will rest upon your
own head. You have been warned, and still insist."
I still insist ! "

Then let us move further over here into the shadow
of the houses ; this ]iioonlight is so dreadfully bright 1 "

They moved on into the deep shadow, and there was a
pulse throbbing in Ormiston's head and heart like the beat-
ing of a mufiled drum. They paused aud faced each other
silently.

" Quick, madame ! " cried Ormiston, hoarsely, his whole
face flushed wildly.

His strange companion lifted lier hand as if to remove
the mask, and he saw that it shook like an aspen. She
made oiui motion as tlionnli jibout to lift it, and then re-
coil(;(l, as if Iroiii licrsclf, in a soi'l of 1iorr(>i*.

''My (Jod ! Wiial is lliis man iii-gingmc to do? How
can I (;v(ir fulfil thai falal promises V"

" Madaiiu^, you ioi l ni i; nie ! " said Orniistou, wliosc^
face showed what lu^ fell. " You must kvv\) your prom-
ise ; so do not, drive in(^ wild waiting. L(^t me — "

11(5 look a, step toward her, as if to lift tlu^ mask hini-
8(;lf, but slic held out both iirms to keep him otV.

"No, no, no! ( onie not near nie, IMalcolni Ormiston I

THE HIDDEN FACE.

189

Tated man, since you will rush on your doom, look ! and
let the sight blast you, if it Avill ! "

She unfastened her mask, raised it, and with it the pro-
fusion of long, sweeping black hair. Ormiston did look —
in much the same way, perhaps, that Zulieka looked at
the Veiled Prophet — the next moment there was a terrible
cry, and he fell headlong with a crash, as if a bullet had
"whizzed through his heart.

190 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE INTERVIEW.

I AM not aware whether fainting was as much the
fashion among the fair sex, in the days (or rather the
niglits) of whicli I have the honor to hold forth, as at the
present time ; but I am inclined to think not, from the
simple fact that Leoline, though like John Bunyan,
" grievously troubled and tossed about in her mind," did
nothing of the kind. For the first few moments, she was
altogether too stunned by the suddenness of the shock to
cry out or make the least resistance, and was conscious
of nothing but of being rapidly borne along in somebody's
arms. When this hazy view of things passed away, her
new sensation was the intensely uncomfortable one of
being on the verge of suffocation. She made one frantic
but futile effort to free herself and scream for help, but
the strong arms held her with most loving tightness, and
her cry was drowned in the hot atmosphere within the
shawl, and never penetrated tlii'ougli it. Most assureldy
Leoline would have been smothered then and t]u>ro lind
their journey been much longer; but, fortunately for lier,
it was only the few ynrds Ik^I wccvu her house and llie
I'iver. SIh; knew slie was then carried dow n some steps,
and sli(^ heai'd the dip of tiu^ oais in th(^ wat(M',
and tlien ]\v.v Ixnirer paused, a-nd weid. throu<;h a sliort
dia,logue with sonielxxly else — with (\)uid. li'l^'sl rauj^'e,
sii(; rath(;r felt than kn('\\', for nothing was audil)le hut,
iv low ninrnnir. 'IMie oidy word sh(^ couhl make out- was a.
low, empha,ti(! " KN^nHMuher ! " in llu^ counlAs voice ; imd
tluiU hIh; knew slu^ was in a. boat-, and that it
was shoved (tlf, ;iiid iiio\ iu«;- down tlu^ rapid ri\(>r. TIk^
feeling of heal and sun'oeation was (h'eadful ; aial as licr

THE INTERVIEW.

191

abductor placed her on some cushions, she made another
desperate but feeble effort to free herself from the
smothering shawl, but a hand was laid lightly on hers,
and a voice interposed :

" Lady, it is quite useless for you to struggle, as you
are irrevocably in my power, but if you will promise
faithfully not to make any outcry, and will submit to be
blindfolded, I shall remove this oppressive muffling from
your head. Tell me if you will promise."

He had partly raised the shawl, and a gush of free air
came revivingly in, and enabled Leoline to gasp out a
faint " I promise ! " As she spoke, it was lifted off alto-
gether, and she caught one bright fleeting glimpse of the
river, sparkling and silvery in the moonlight ; of the
bright, blue sky, gemmed with countless stars, and of
some one by her side in the dress of a court-page, whose
face was perfectly unknown to her. The next instant, a
bandage was bound tightly over her eyes, excluding every
ray of light, while the strange voice again spoke apol-
ogetically :

" Pardon, lady, but it is my orders ! I am commanded
to treat you with every respect, but not to let you see
where you are borne to."

" By what right does Count L'Estrange commit this
outrage ? " began Leolme, almost as imperiously as Mir-
anda herself and making use of her tongue, like a true
woman, in the very first moment it was at her disposal.
" How dare he carry me off in this atrocious way ? Who-
ever you are, sir, if you have the spirit of a man, you will
bring me directly back to my own house again."

"I am very sorry, lady, that I have received orders
that must be obeyed ! You must come with me, but you
need fear nothing ; you will be as safe and secure as in
your own home."

" Secure enough, no doubt ! " said Leoline, bitterly. " I
never did like Count L'Estrange, but I never knew he
was a coward and villain till now ! "

Her companion made no reply to this forcible address,
and there was a moment's indignant silence on Leoline's
part, broken only by the dip of the oars, and the rippling
of the water. Then :

192

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Will you not tell me, at least, where you are taking me
to ? " haughtily demanded Leoline.

" Lady, I cannot ! It was to i)revent you knowing that
you have been blindfolded."

" Oh, your master has a faithful servant, I see ! How
long am I to be kept a prisoner ? "

" I do not know."

" Where is Count L'Estrange ? "

" I cannot tell."

" When am I to see him ? "

" I cannot say."

" Hah ! " said Leoline, with infinite contempt, and
turning her back upon him, she relapsed into gloomy si-
lence. It had all been so sudden, and had taken her so
much by surprise, that she had not had time to think of
the consequences until now. But now they came upon
her with a rush, and with dismal distinctness ; and most
distinct among all was, what would Sir Norman say ! Of
course, with all a lover's impatience, he would be at his
post by sunrise, would come back to look for his bride, and
find himself sold ! By that time she would be far enough
away, perhaps a melancholy corpse (and at this dreary
X)assage in her meditations, Leoline sighed profoundly),
and he would never know what had become of her, or
how much and how long she had loved him. And this
hateful Count L'Estrange, what did he intend to do with
her ? Perhaps go so far as to make her marry him, and
imprison her with the rest of his wives ; for Leoline was
prepared to think the very worst of the count, and had
not the slightest doubt that he had a harem full of ab-
ductc^d wives somewhere, already. But no — he never
could do that ; he might do what he liked with weaker
minds, but she never would be a bride of his while the
])lague or poison was to be had in London. And with
this invincible determination rooted fixedly, not to say
obstinately, in her mind, slio Avas nearly i)itched over-
board ])y the boat suddenly landing at some unexpe(;ted
place. A litthi natural scn'eam of terror was repressed
on her li])s by a hand being placed over them, and the
det(;rniin(ul bnt perfectly respectful tones of the person
beside her speaking.

THE INTERVIEW.

193

" Remember your promise, lady, and do not make a
noise. We have arrived at our journey's end ; and if you
Avill take my arm, I will lead you along, instead of carry-
ing you."

Leoline was rather surprised to find the journey so
short, but she arose directly, with silence and dignity — at
least with as much of the latter commodity as could be
reasonably expected, considering that boats on water are
rather unsteady things to be dignified in — and was led
gently and with care out of the swaying vessel, and up
another flight of stairs. Then in a few moments, she was
conscious of passing from the free night air into the closer
atmosphere of a house ; and in going through an endless
labyrinth of corridors, and passages, and suites of rooms,
and flights of stairs, until she became so extremely tired
that she stopped with spirited abruptness, and in the
plainest possible English gave her conductor to under-
stand that they had gone about far enough for all practical
purposes. To Avhich that patient and respectful individual
replied that he was glad to inform her they had but a few
more steps to go, vvhich the next moment i3roved to be
true, for he stopped and announced that their promenade
Avas over for the night.

" And I suppose I may have the use of my eyes at last ? "
inquired Leoline, with more haughtiness than Sir Norman
could have believed possible so gentle a voice could have
expressed.

For reply, her companion rapidly untied the bandage,
and withdrew it with a flourish. The dazzling brightness
that burst upon her so blinded her that, for a moment, she
could distinguish nothing ; and when she looked round to
contemplate her companion, she found him hurriedly
making his exit, and securely locking the door. The sound
of the key turning in the lock gave her a most peculiar
sensation, which none but those who have experienced it
can properly understand. It is not the most comfortable
feeling in tlie world to know you are a prisoner, even if
you have no key turned upon you but the weather, and
your jailer be a high east wind and lashing rain. Leoline's
prison and jailer were something worse ; and, for the first
time, a cold chill of fear and dismay crept icily to the core

194

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN".

of her heart. But Leoline had something of Miranda's
courage, as well as her looks and temper ; so she tried to
feel as brave as possible, and not think of her unpleasant
predicament while there remained anything else to think
about. Perhaps she might escape, too ; and as this notion
struck her, she looked with eager anxiety, not unmixed
with curiosity, at the place where she was. By tliis time
■ her eyes had been accustomed to the light, which pro-
ceeded from a great antique lamp of bronze, pendent by a
brass chain from the ceiling ; and she saw she was in a
moderately-sized and by no means splendid room. But
what struck her most was that everything had a look of
age about it, from the glittering oak beams of the floor to
the faded, ghostly hangings on the wall. There was a bed
at one end — a great, spectral ark of a thing, like a mauso-
leum, with drapery as old and spectral as that on the walls,
and in which she could no more have lain than in a moth-
eaten shroud. The seats and the one table the room held
were of the same ancient and weird pattern, and gave her
a shivering sensation not unlike an ague chill, to look at.
There was but one door — a huge structure, with shining
panels, securely locked ; and escape from that quarter was
utterly out of the question. There was one window, hung
with dark curtains of tarnished embroidery, but in push-
ing them aside she met only a dull blank of unlighted
glass, for the shutters Avere firmly secured without. Alto-
gether, she could not form the slightest idea where she
was ; and, with a feeling of utter despair, she sat down on
one of the queer old chairs, with much tlie same feeling as
if slie were sitting in a tomb. What would Sir Norman
say ? What would he ever think of her, when he found
her gone? And wliat av;is destined to bo her fate in this
dreadful, out-of-the-way i)la,ce V Slie Avould lia\ c vv'wd, as
most of b(n- sex Avould be t(Mni)l(Ml to do in sucli a, situa-
tion, but lier dislik(^ and horror of (^ount L'Msl range
was a good deal strongcsr Mian hvv gri(U', and tiirncMl hvv
tears to sparks of indignant lir(\ Ncu^'r, nev(^r, mn^cM* I
would sh(; be his wW'ol IIc^ might kill Ikm* a, thousand
tini(!S, if h(; lik(!(l, and she wouldn't yield an inch. She
did not mind dyiug in a good cause; she could do it but
once. Ai)d with Sir Nonnan despising her, as she feltlie

THE INTERVIEW.

195

must do, when he found her run away, she rather liked
the idea than otherwise. Mentally, she bade adieu to all
her friends before beginning to prepare for her melancholy
fate — to her handsome lover, to his gallant friend, Ormis-
ton, to her poor nurse, Prudence, and to her mysterious
visitor. La Masque. La Masque. Ah ! that name awoke
a new chord of recollection — the casket ; she had it with
her yet. Instantly everything was forgotten but it and
its contents ; and she placed a chair directly under the
lamp, drew it out, and looked at it. It was a pretty little
hijoii itself, with its polished ivory surface, and shining
clasps of silver. But the inside had far more interest for
her than the outside, and she fitted the key and unlocked
it with a trembling hand. It was lined Avith azure velvet,
wrought with silver thread, in dainty wreaths of water-
lilies ; and in the bottom, neatly folded lay a sheet of
foolscap. She opened it with nervous haste; it was a
common sheet enough, stamped with fool's cap and bells,
that shov/ed it belonged to Cromwell's time. It was closely
written, in a light, fair hand, and bore the title, " Leoline's
History." Leoline's hand trembled so with eagerness, she
could scarcely hold the paper ; but her eye rapidly ran
from line to line, and she stopped not till she reached the
end. While she read her face alternately flushed and
paled, her eyes dilated, her lips parted ; and before she
finished it, there came over all a look of the most unutter-
able horror. It dropped from her powerless fingers as
she finished ; and she sunk back in her chair with such a
ghastly paleness that it seemed absolutely like the livid-
ness of death.

A sudden and startling noise awoke her from her trance
of horror — some one trying to get in at the window!
The chill of terror it sent through every vein acted as a
sort of counter-irritant to the other feeling, and she sprung
from her chair and turned her face fearfully towards the
sounds. But in all her terror she did not forget the
mysterious sheet of foolscap, which lay, looking up at her,
on the floor ; and she snatched it up, and thrust it and the
casket out of sight. Still the sounds went on, but softly
and cautiously ; and at intervals, as if the worker were
afraid of being heard. Leolme went back, step by step,

196

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

to the other extremity of the room, with her eyes still
fascinated to the window, and a white terror, that left her
perfectly colorless, on her beautiful face. Who could it
be ? Not Count L'Estrange, for he would surely not need
to enter his own house like a burglar — not Sir Norman
Kingsley, for he could certainly not find out her abduc-
tion and her prison so soon, and she had no other friends
in the whole wide ^vorld to trouble themselves about her.
There was one ; but the idea of ever seeing her again was
-SO unspeakably dreadful that she would rather have seen
the most horrible specter her imagination could conjure
up than that tall, graceful, rich-robed form. Still the
noises perseveringly continued ; there was the sound of
withdrawing bolts, and then a pale ray of moonlight shot
between the i3arted curtains, shov/ing the shutters had been
opened. Whiter and whiter Leoline grew, and she felt
herself growing cold and rigid with mortal fear. Softly
the window was raised, a hand stole in and parted the cur-
tains, and a pale face and two great dark eyes wandered
slowly round the room, and rested at last on her, stand-
ing like a galvanized cor^^se, as far from the window as
the wall would permit. The hand was lifted in a warning
gesture, as if to enforce silence ; the window was raised
still higher, a figure, lithe and agile as a cat, sprung lightly
into the room, and standing with his back to her, reclosed
the shutters, reshut the window, and redrew the curtahis,
before taking the trouble to turn round. This discreet
little maneuver, which showed her visitor was human,
and gifted with human prudence, reassured Leoline a little,
and, to judge by tlui reverse of the medal, the nocturnal
intruder was nothing very formidable after all. But the
stranger did not keep her long in suspense ; while she
stood gazing at him, as if fascinated, he turned round,
st(;])i)(Ml foi'ward, took off his cap, made her a. courtly bow,
aini tlien slraiglitening himself up, prepared, with gn^nt
(jooliK^ss, to s(;iMitiiiiz(» and be sca'utinized. Well might
they look at (iach otluM' ; for the two faces were ])erfe('lly
th(} same and (mkjIi ono saw th(Mns(^lv(\s as others saw them
Th(;r(; was tlie sanui coal-blac^k, (!urling hair ; the same
histrous dark cy(;s, ihv. sanui clear, (colorless complexion,
the same (h'licaXe, perfect features; nothing was dilTerent

THE INTERVIEW.

197

but the costume and the expression. That latter was
essentially different^ for the young lady's {place aiix dames)
betrayed amazement, terror, doubt, and delight, all at
once ; while the young gentleman's was a grand, careless
surprise, mixed with just a dash of curiosity. He was the
first to speak ; and after they had stared at each other for
the space of five minutes, he described a graceful sweep
with his hand, and held forth in the following strain :

" I greatly fear, fair Leoline, that I have startled you
by my sudden and surprising entrance ; and if I have been
the cause of a moment's alarm to one so perfectly beauti-
ful, I shall hate myself forever after. If I could have
got in any other way, rest assured I would not have risked
my neck and your peace of mind by such a suspicious
means of ingress as the window ; but if you will take the
trouble to notice, that door is thick, and I am composed
of too solid flesh to whisk through the keyhole ; so I had
to make my appearance the best w^ay I could."

" Who are you ? " faintly asked Leoline.

" Your friend, fair lady, and Sir Norman Kingsley's."

Hubert looked to see Leoline start and blush, and was
deeply gratified to see her do both ; and her whole pretty
countenance became alive with new-born hope, as if that
name were a magic talisman of freedom and joy.

" What is your name, and who are you ? " she inquired,
in a breathless sort of way, that made Hubert look at her
a moment in calm astonishment.

" I have told you — your friend ; christened, at some re-
mote period, Hubert. For further particulars, apply to
the Earl of Rochester, whose page I am."

" The Earl of Rochester's page ! " she repeated, in the
same quick, excited way, that surprised and rather lowered
her in that good youth's opinion, for giving way to any
feelings so plebeian. " It is — it must be the same ! "

" I have no doubt of it," said Hubert. " The same
what?"

" Did you not come from France — from Dijon, re-
cently ? " went on Leoline, rather inappositely, as it struck
her hearer.

" Certainly I came from Dijon. Had I the honor of
being known to you there ?

198

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" How strange ! How wonderful ! " said Leoline, with
a paling cheek and quickened breathing. " How mysteri-
ous those things turn out ! Thank Heaven that I have
found some one to love at last ! "

This speech, which was Greek, algebra, high Dutch, or
thereabouts, to Master Hubert, caused him to stare to
such an extent that, when he came to think of it after-
ward, positively shocked him. The two great, wandering
dark eyes transfixing her with so much amazement,
brought Leoline to a sense of her talking unfathomable
mysteries, quite incomprehensible to her handsome auditor.
She looked at him with a smile, held out her hand ; and
Hubert received a strange little electric thrill, to see that
her eyes were full of tears. He took the hand and raised
it to his lips, wondering if the young lady, struck by his
good looks, had conceived a rash and inordinate attack of
love at first sight, and was about to offer herself to him
and discard Sir Norman forever. From these speculations
the sweet voice aroused him.

" You have told me who you are. Now, do you know
who I am ? "

" I hope so, fairest Leoline. I know you are the most
beautiful lady in England, and to-morrow will be called
Lady Kingsley ! "

" I am something more," said Leoline, holding his hand
between both hers, and bending near him. " I am your
sister ! "

The earl of Rochester's page must have had good blood
in his veins ; for never was there duke, grandee, or peer
of the realm, more radically and unaffectcMlly nonchalant
tlian he. To tliis miexpected announcement he listened
Willi most (lignili(Hl and well-bred ('()in])()sur(\ and in
his s(;('r(;L licni'l, or ralJuH" vanity, nioi'c (lisai)])()inted
tlia.n oilierwisc, lo lind liis lii'sl solnlion of \\vv ivn~
(lern(^ss a. /4r(!a,t mistake. Leoline lield his hand i\v;\\t
in hers, and looked with loving and tearful (\yes in his
face.

" I)(!ar I InlxM't, you nw, my l)r()ther — my long-unknown
bi"()th(;r ; and I lovi^ you with niy whole lu>a.rt ! "

"AinF?" said IInl)ert. "I dare say I aiu ; foi' llu^y
all say wo look as nuicli alikii as two peas. I am (»xcos-

THE INTERVIEW.

199

sively delighted to hear it, and to know that you love me.
Permit me to embrace my new relative."

With which the court page kissed Leoline with em-
phasis, while she scarcely knew whether to laugh, cry, or
be provoked at his composure. On the whole, she did
a little of all three, and pushed him away with a half
pout.

"You insensible mortal! How can you stand there
and hear that you have found a sister, with so much in-
difference ? "

" Indifferent ? Xot I ! You have no idea how wildly
excited I am ! " said Hubert, in a voice not betokening
the slightest emotion. " How did you find it out, Leo-
line ? "

" Xever mind ! I shall tell you that again. You don't
doubt it, I hope ? "

" Of course not. I knew from the first moment I set
eyes on you, that if you were not mj sister you ought to
be ! I wish you'd tell me all the particulars, Leoline."

" I shall do so as soon as I am out of this ; but how
can I tell you anvthing here ? "

« That's true said Hubert, reflectively. " Well, I'll
wait. Xow, don't you wonder how I found you out and
came here ? "

" Indeed I do. How was it, Hubert ? "

" Oh, well, I don't know as I can altogether tell you ;
but you see. Sir Xorman Kingsley being possessed of an
inspiration that something was happening to you, came
to your house a short time ago, and found you, as he sus-
pected, missing. I met him there, rather depressed in
his mind about it, and he told me — beginning the con-
versation, I must say, in a very excited manner," said
Hubert, parenthetically, as memory recalled the furious
shaking he had undergone — " And he told me he fancied
you were abducted, and by one Count L'Estrange. Xow,
I had a hazy idea who Count L'Estrange was, and where
he would be most apt to take you to, and so I came here
and after some searching, more inquiring, and a few
unmitigated falsehoods (you'll regret to hear), discovered
you were locked up in this place, and succeeded in getting
in through the window. Sir Norman is waiting for me,

200 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN,

in a state of distraction ; so now, having found you, I will
go and relieve his mind by reporting accordingly."

" And leave me here ? " cried Leoline, in affright, " and
in the power of Count L'Estrange ? Oh, no ! no ! You
must take me with you, Hubert ! "

" My dear Leoline, it is quite impossible to do it with-
out help, and without a ladder. I will return to Sir
Norman; and when the darkness comes, that precedes
day-dawn, we will raise the ladder to your window, and
try to get you out. Be patient — only wait an hour or
two, and then you will be free."

" But oh, Hubert ! where am I ? What dreadful place
is this ? "

" Why, I do not know that this is a very dreadful place ;
and most people consider it a sufficiently respectable
house ; but still I would rather see my sister anywhere
else than in it, and will take the trouble of kidnapping
her out of it as quickly as possible."

" But, Hubert, tell me — do tell me, who is Count
L'Estrange ? " Hubert laughed.

" Cannot, really, Leoline ! at least, not until to-morrow,
and you are Lady Kingsley."

" But, what if he should come here to-night ? "

"I do not think there is much danger of that; but
whether he does or not, rest assured you shall be free
to-morrow ! At all events, it is quite impossible for you
to escape with me now ; and even as it is, I run the risk
of being detected, and made a prisoner of, myself. You
must be patient and wait, Leoline, and trust to Providence
and your brother Hubert ! "

" I must, I suppose ! " said Leoline, sighing ; " and you
cannot take me away until day-dawn ? "

" Quite impossible ; and then all l ais drapery of yours
will be ever so nuicli in the way. AYould you object to
garments like tliese?" pointing to his doulilet and liose.
" If you would not, I think I could procure you a lit-oul."

" i^ut T should, though!" said Leoline, with spirit,
" and most deciidedly, too ! I shall wear nothing of the
kind. Sir Page!"

" p]v(;ry one to their fancy," said Hubert, with a Frc^nch
shrug, " and my priitty sister shall have hers, in spite of

THE INTERVIEW.

201

earth, air, fire, and water ! And now, fair Leoline, for a
"brief time, adieu, and ait revioir ! "

" You will not fail me ! " exclaimed Leoline, earnestly,
clasping her hands.

" If I do, it shall be the last thing I will fail in on
earth ; for, if I am alive by to-morrow morning, Leoline
shall be free ! "

" And you will be careful — you will both be careful ? "

" Excessively careful ! Now then."

The last two words were addressed to the window,
which he noiselessly opened as he spoke. Leoline caught
a glimpse of the bright, free moonlight, and watched him
with desperate envy ; but the next moment the shutters
were closed, and Hubert and the moonlight were both
gone.

202

THE MIDKIGHT QUEEN.

CHAPTER XIX.

hubeet's whisper.

Sir !N"orman Kingsley's consternation and horror on
discovering the dead body of his friend, was only equaled
by his amazement as to how he got there, or how he came
to be dead at all. The livid face upturned to the moon-
light, was unmistakably the face of a dead man — it was
no swoon, no deception, like Leoline's ; for the blue,
ghastly paleness that marks the flight of the soul from
the body was stamped on every rigid feature. Yet, Sir
I^^'orman could not realize it. We all know how hard it
is to realize the death of a friend from whom we have but
lately parted in full health and life, and Ormiston's death
was so sudden. Why, it was not quite two hours since
they had parted in Leoline's house, and even the plague
could not carry off a victim as quickly as this. " Ormis-
ton ! Ormiston ! " he called, betAveen grief and dismay, as
he raised him in his arms, with his hand over the stilled
heart ; but Ormiston answered not, and the heart gave
no pulsation beijeath his fingers. He tore open his doub-
let, as the thought of the plague flashed through his mind,
but no plague-spot was to be seen, and it was quite evi-
dent from the appearance of the face that he had not died
of the distemper, neither was there any wound or mark
to show that he had met his end violently. Yet the cold,
white face was convulsed, as if he had died in throes of
agony ; the liands were clinched, till the nails sunk into
tlie flesh ; and that was the only outward sign or token
that he had suffered in expiring. Sir Norman was com-
pletely at a loss, and half l)eside himsc^lf, with a thousand
conflicting f(?(^liiigs of sorrow, astonishment, and mysti-
fication. The rapid and exciting events of tlie night had

HUBERT'S WHISPER.

203

turned his head into a mental chaos, as they very well
might, but he still had common sense enough left to know
that something must be done about this immediately.
He knew the best place to take Ormiston was to the
nearest apothecary's shop, which establishments were
generally open, and filled the whole livelong night, by
the sick and their friends. As he was meditating
whether or not to call the surly watchman to help him
carry the body, a i3est-cart came, providentially, along,
and the driver — seeing a young man bending over a pros-
trate form — guessed at once what was the matter, and
came to a halt.

" Another one ! " he said, coming leisurely up, and glan-
cing at the lifeless form with a cool, professional eye.
" Well, I think there is room for another one in the cart ;
so bear a hand, friend, and let us have him out of this."

" You are mistaken ! " said Sir Norman, sharply ; " he
has not died of the plague. I am not even certain whether
he is dead at all ! "

The driver looked at Sir Norman, then stooped down
and touched Ormiston's icy face, and listened to hear him
breathe. He stood up after a moment, with something
like a short laugh.

" If he's alive," he said, turning to go, " then I never
saw any one dead ! Good-night, sir. I wish you joy
when you bring him to."

" Stay ! " exclaimed the young man. " I wish you to
assist me in bringing him to yonder apothecary's shop,
and you may have this for your pains."

" This " proved to be a talisman of alacrity ; for the
man pocketed it, and briskly laid hold of Ormiston by the
feet, while Sir Norman wrapped his cloak reverently about
him, and took him by the shoulders. In this style the
body was conveyed to the apothecary's shop, which they
found half full of applicants for medicine, among whom
their entrance with the corpse produced no greater sensa-
tion than a momentary stare. The attire and bearing of
Sir Norman proving him to be something different from
their usual class of visitors, brought one of the drowsy
apprentices immediately to his side, inquiring what were
his orders.

204

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

*'A private room, and your master's attendance di-
rectly," was the authoritative reply.

Both were to be had ; the former, a hole in the wall
behind the shop ; the latter, a pallid, cadaverous-looking
person, with the air of one who had been dead a week,
thought better of it, and rose again. There was a long
table in the aforesaid hole in the wall, bearing a strong
family likeness to a dissecting-table ; upon this the stark
figure was laid, and the pest-cart driver disappeared. The
apothecary held a light close to the face ; applied his ear
to the mouth and heart ; held a pocket-mirror over his
lips, looked at it, shook his head ; and set down the candle
with decision.

" The man is dead, sir ! " was his criticism, " dead as a
door nail ! All the medicine in my shop wouldn't kindle
one spark of life in these ashes ! "

" At least, try ! Try something — bleeding, for an in-
stance," suggested Sir Norman.

Again the apothecary examined the body, and again he
shook his head dolefully.

" It's no use, sir ; but, if it will please you, I can try."

The right arm was bared, the lancet inserted ; one
or two black drops sluggishly followed, and nothing
more.

" It's all a waste of time, you see," remarked the apothe-
cary, wiping his dreadful little weapon, "he's as dead a^^
ever I saw anybody in my life ! How did he come to his
end, sir — not of tlie plague ?"

" I don't know," said Sir Normaii, gloomily. " I wish
you would tell me that."

" Can't do it, sir ; my skill doesn't extend that far.
There is no pl;igu(vspot or visible wound or bruise on the
person ; so must have died of some internal complaint
— j)r()l)al)ly dis(!as(i of the heart."

" N(yv(ir kn(nv liim to liave sucli a tiling," said Sir Nor-
man, sigliing. " It is V(iry myst(M"ious and very dreadful,
and notwil hstiinding you liavc^ said, T (cannot make him
(l(!ad. (/all \n) not remain luin^ initil morning, a,t least?"

'IMh; starv(ul ap<)tii(H;a,ry lookcul at liini out of a, pair oC
liollow, m(da,neli()ly (^yes.

"(iold (;an do jinyUiing," was his plaintive re[)ly.

HUBERT'S WHISPER. 205

" I understand. You shall have it. Are you sure you
can do nothing more for him ? "

" Nothing whatever, sir ; and excuse me, but there are
customers in the shop, and I must leave, sir."

Which he did, accordingly ; and Sir Norman was left
alone with all that remained of him who, two hours be-
fore, was his warm friend. He could scarcely believe that
it was the calm majesty of death that so changed the ex-
pression of that white face ; and yet, the longer he looked,
the more deeply an inward conviction assured him that
it was so. He chafed the chilling hands and face, he ap-
plied hartshorn and burnt feathers to the nostrils ; but
all these applications, though excellent in their way, could
not exactly raise the dead to life, and, in this case, proved
a signal failure. He gave up his doctoring, at last, in de-
spair, and folding his arms, looked down at what lay on
the table, and tried to convince himself that it was Or-
miston. So absorbed was he in the endeavor, that he
heeded not the passing moments, until it struck him mth
a shock that Hubert might even now be waiting for him
at the trysting-place, with news of Leoline. Love is
stronger than friendship, stronger than grief, stronger
than death, stronger than every other feeling in the world ;
so he suddenly seized his hat, turned his back on Ormis-
ton and the apothecary's shop, and strode off to the place
he had quitted. No Hubert was there ; but two figures
were passing slowly along in the moonlight, and one of
them he recognized, with an impulse to spring at him
like a tiger and strangle him. But he had been so shocked
and subdued by his recent discovery, that the impulse
which, half an hour before, would have been unhesita-
tingly obeyed, went for nothing, noAV ; and there was
more of reproach, even, than anger m his voice, as he
went over and laid his hand on the shoulder of one of
them.

" Stay ! " he said. " One word with you, Count L'Es-
trange. What have you done with Leoline ? "

" Ah ! Sir Norman, as I live ! " cried the count, wheel-
ing round and lifting his hat. " Give you good-even — or
rather, good-morning, Kingsley — ^for St. Paul's has long
gone the midnight hour."

206 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

Sir Norman, with his hand still on his shoulder, re-
turned not the courtesy, and regarded the gallant count
with a stern eye.

" Where is Leoline ? " he frigidly repeated.

"Really," said the count, with, some embarrassment,
" you attack me so unexpectedly, and so like a ghost or a
highwayman — by the way, I have a word to say to you
about highwaymen, and was seeking you to say it."

" Where is Leoline ? " shouted the exasperated young
knight, releasing his shoulder, and clutching him by the
throat. Tell me, or by Heaven ! I'll pitch you neck and
heels into the Thames ! "

Instantly the sword of the count's companion flashed
in the moonlight, and in two seconds more, its blue blade
would have ended the mortal career of Sir Norman Kings-
ley, had not the count quickly sprung back, and made a
motion for his friend to hold.

" Wait ! " he cried, commandingly, with an arm out-
stretched to each. "Keep off! George, sheathe your
sword and stand aside. Sir Norman Kingsley, one word
with you, and be it in peace."

" There can be no peace between us," retorted that ag-
gravated young gentleman fiercely, "until you tell me
what has become of Leoline."

" All in good time. We have a listener ; and does it
not strike you our conference should be private ? "

" Public or private, it matters not a jot, so that you tell
me what you've done with Leoline," replied Sir Norman,
with whom, it was evident, getting beyond his question
was a moral and physical impossibility. " And if you do
not give an account of yourself, I'll run you through, as
sure as your name is Count I'Estrange ! "

A strange sort of smile came over the face of the count,
at this direful threat, as if he fancied, in that case, he was
safe enough ; but Sir Norman, luckily, did not see it, and
heard only the suave reply :

"Certainly, Sir Norman ; I shall be delighted to do so.
Let us stand over there in the shadow of that arch ; and,
George, do you remain here within call."

The count blandly waved Sir Norman to follow, which
Sir Norman did, with much the air of a sulky lion ; and

HUBERT'S WHISPER.

207

a moment after, both stood facing each other within the
archway.

" Well ! " cried the young knight, impatiently ; " I am
waiting. Go on ! "

" My dear Kingsley," responded the count, in his easy
way, " I think you are laboring under a little mistake,
I have nothing to go on about ; it is you who are to begin
the controversy."

" Do you dare to play with me ? " exclaimed Sir ISTorman,
furiously. "I tell you to take care how you speak.
What have you done with Leoline ? "

" That is the fourth or fifth time you have asked me that
question," said the count, with provoking indifference.
" What do you imagine I have done with her '? "

Sir Norman's feelings, which had been rising ever since
their meeting, got up to such a height at this aggravating
question, that he gave vent to an oath, and laid his hand
on his sword ; but the count lightly interposed before it
came out.

"Not yet. Sir Norman. Be calm; talk rationally.
What do you accuse me of doing with Leoline ? "

" Do you dare deny having carried her off ? "

" Deny it ? No ; I am never afraid to father my own.
deeds."

" Ah ! " said Sir Norman, grinding his teeth.

" Then you acknowledge it ? "

" I acknowledge it — yes. What next ? "

The perfect composure of his tone fell like a cool, damp
towel on the fire of Sir Norman's wrath. It did not quite
extinguish the flame, however — only quenched it a little — •
and it still hissed hotly underneath.

" And you dare to stand before me and acknowledge
such an act ? " exclaimed Sir Norman, perfectly astounded
at the cool assurance of the man.

" Verily yea," said the count, laughing. " I seldom
take the trouble to deny my acts. What next ? "

" There is nothing next," said Sir Norman, severely,
"until we come to a proper understanding about this.
Are you aware, sir, that that lady is my promised bride ? "

" No, I do not know that I am. On the contrary, 1
have an idea she is mine."

208

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" She was, you mean. You know she was forced into
consenting by yourself and her nurse ! "

" Still she consented ; and a bond is a bond, and a
promise, a promise all the world over."

" Not with a woman." said Sir Norman, with stern dog-
matism. " It is their privilege to break their promise and
change their mind sixty times a day if they choose.
Leoline has seen fit to do both, and has accepted me in
your stead ; therefore I command you instantly to give
her up ! "

" Softly, my friend — softly. How was I to know all
this?"

" You ought to have known it ! " returned Sir Norman,
in the same dogmatical way ; " or if you didn't, you do
now ; so say no more about it. Where is she, I tell you ? "
repeated the young man, in a frenzy.

" Your patience one moment longer, until we see which
of us has the best right to the lady. I have a prior claim."

" A forced one. Leoline does not care a snap for you
— and she loves me."

" What extraordinary bad taste ! " said the count,
thoughtfully. " Did she tell you this ? "

" Yes ; she did tell me this, and a great deal more.
Come — have done talking, and tell me where she is, or
I'll—"

" Oh, no, you wouldn't ! " said the count, soothingly.
" Since matters stand in this light, I will tell you what
I'll do. I acknowledge liaving carried off Leoline, view-
ing her as my i)romised l)ride, and have sent her to my
own house, in the care of a trusty messenger, where, I
give you my word of honor, I have not been since. Slie
is as safe ther(^, and much safer than in her own hous(\
until morning, and it would b(^ Ji i)ity to disturb her at
this unscasonjibh; liovir. When th(^ morning comes, av(^
will ])()ih go io licr t()g(;th(!r— state our rival chiinis- -and
whicliev(ir one slie (ku^ides on acHU'piing, can have lier,
iu\(\ vAn\ tlu; matter at oikh;."

'IMie connt ])a,us(Ml, and so did hishean'r, and meditated.
This ])ro|)osal was all vovy fair and u'wo on the surt'a(H\
b(jt Sir Norman, witli liis usual juMictration and acutenesfcS
Jook(;d furthei- than i\w, surface and found a, Haw.

HUBERT'S WHISPER.

209

"And how am I to know," lie asked dubiously, "that
you will not go to her to-night, and spirit her oft' where
I will never hear or see either of you again ? "

" In the very best way in the world : we will not part
company until morning comes ; now, are we at peace ? "
inquired the count, smiling, and holding out his hand.

" Until then, we will have to be, I suppose," replied
Sir Norman, rather ungraciously, touching the hand as if
it were red-hot, and dropping it again. " And are we to
stand here and look at each other, in the meantime ? "

" By no means ! Even the most sublime prospect tires
when surveyed too long. There is a little excursion
which I would like you to accompany me on, if you have
no objection.

" Where to ? "

" To the ruin, where you have already been twice to-
night."

Sir Norman stared.

" And who told you this. Sir Count ? "

" Never mind ; I have heard it. Would you object to
a third excursion there before morning ? "

Again Sir Norman paused and meditated. There was
no use staying where he was, as it would bring him no
nearer to Leoline ; and nothing was to be gained by kill-
ing the count, beyond the mere transitory pleasure of the
thing. On the other hand he had an intense and ardent
desire to re- visit the ruin, and see what had become of
Miranda — the onlj draAvback being that, if they were
found they would both be most assuredly beheaded.
Then, again, there was Hubert.

" Well ? " inquired the count, as Sir Norman looked up.

" I have no objection to go with you to the ruin," was
the reply, " only this : if we are seen there, we mil be
dead men two minutes after ; and I have no desire to de-
part this life until I have had that promised interview
with Leoline."

" I have thought of that," said the count, " and have
provided for it. We may venture in the lion's den with-
out the slightest danger ; all that is required being your
promise to guide us thither. Do you give it ? "

210 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEISr.

" I do ; but I expect a friend here shortly, and cannot
start until he comes."

" If you mean me by that, I am here," said a voice at his
elbow ; and, looking round, he saw Hubert himself, stand-
ing there, a quiet listener and spectator of the scene.

Count L'Estrange looked at him with interest, and Hu-
bert, affecting not to notice the survey, watched Sir
Norman.

" Well," was that individual's eager address, " were you
successful ? "

The count was still watching the boy so intently that
that most discreet youth was suddenly seized with a
violent fit of coughing, which precluded all possibility of
reply for at least five minutes ; and Sir Norman, at the
same moment, felt his arm receive a sharp and warning
pmch.

" Is this your friend ? " asked the count. " He is a very
small one, and seems in a bad state of health."

Sir Norman, still under the influence of the pinch, re-
plied by an inaudible murmur, and looked, with a deeply
mystified expression, at Hubert.

" He bears a strong resemblance to the lady we were
talking of a moment ago," continued the count — " is suf-
ficiently like her, in fact, to be her brother ; and, I see,
wears the livery of the Earl of Rochester."

" God spare you your eyesight ! " said Sir Norman, im-
patiently. " Can you not see, among the rest, that I have
a few words to say to him in private ? Permit us to leave
you for a moment."

" There is no need to do so. I will leave you, as I have
a few words to say to the person who is with me."

So saying, the count walked away, and Hubert followed
him with a most curious look.

"Now," cried Sir Norman, eagerly, "what news?"

" Good ! " said the boy. " Leoline is safe ! "

" And where ? "

"Not far from liore. Didn't he tell you? "

"The count? No — yes ; he said slie was at his house."

"Exactly. That is where she is," replied Hubert, look-
ing much relieved. " And, for the present, perfectly
bafe."

HUBERT'S WHISPER.

211

" And did you see her ? "

" Of course ; and heard her, too. She was dreadfully
anxious to come with me ; but that was out of the ques-
tion."

" And how is she to be got away ? "

" That I do not clearly see. We will have to bring a
ladder, and there will be so much danger, and so little
chance of success, that, in fact, it seems an almost hope-
less task. Where did you meet Count L'Estrange ? "

" Here ; and he told me that he had abducted her and
held her a prisoner in his own house."

" He owned that, did he ? I wonder you were not fit
to kill him?"

" So I was at first ; but he talked the matter over
somehow."

And hereupon Sir Norman briefly and pithily rehearsed
the substance of their conversation. Hubert listened to
it attentively, and laughed as he concluded.

" Well, I do not see that you can do better. Sir Nor-
man ; and I think it would be wisest to obey the count
for to-night, at least. To-morrow — if things do not go
on well, we can take the law in our own hands."

" Can we ? " said Sir Norman, doubtfully. " I wish
you would tell me who this infernal count is, Hubert, for
I am certain you know."

" Not until to-morrow — you shall know more then."

"To-morrow! to-morrow!" exclaimed Sir Norman,
disconsolately. " Everything is postponed until to-
morrow ! Oh, here comes the count back again. Are
we going to start now, I wonder ? "

" Is your friend to accompany us on our expedition ? "
inquired the count, standing before them. " It shall be
quite as you say, Kingsley."

" My friend can do as he pleases. What do you say,
Hubert."

" I should like to go, of all things, if neither of you
have any objections."

" Come on, then," said the count ; " we will find horses
in readiness a short distance from this."

The three started together, and walked on in silence
through several streets, until they reached a retired inn,

212 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

where the count's recent companion stood, with the
horses. Count L'Estrange whispered a few words to
him, upon which he bowed and retired ; and in an instant
they were all in the saddle, and galloping away.

The journey was rather a silent one, and what conver-
sation there was, was principally sustained by the count.
Hubert's usual flow of pert chit-chat seemed to have for-
saken him, and Sir Norman had so many other things to
think of — Leoline, Ormiston, Miranda, and the mysterious
count himself — that he felt in no mood for talking. Soon
they left the city behind them ; the succeeding tAvo miles
were quickly passed over, and the " Golden Crown," all
dark and forsaken, now hove in sight. As they reached
this, and cantered up the road leading to the ruin Sir
Norman drew rein, and said :

" I think our best plan would be to dismount and lead
our horses the rest of the way, and not incur any un-
necessary danger by making a noise. We can fasten
them to these trees, where they will be at hand when we
come out."

" Wait one moment," said the count, lifting his finger
with a listening look. " Listen to that ! "

It was a regular tramp of horses' hoofs, sounding in
the silence like a charge of cavalry. While they looked,
a troop of horsemen came galloping up, and came to a
halt when they saw the count.

No words can depict the look of amazement Sir Nor-
man's face wore ; but Hubert betrayed not the least sur-
prise. The count glanced at his companions with a signifi-
cant smile, and riding back, held a brief colloquy with
him who seemed the leader of the horsemen. He rode
up to them smiling still, and saying, as he passed :

" Now, then, Kingsley, lead on, and we will follow ! "

"I go not one step further," said Sir Norman, firmly,
" until I know who I am leading ! Who are you, (\Huit
L'Estrange ? "

The count looked at him, but did not niisw (u*. A warn-
ing ]iaiHl ili;it of HulKM't— grasjxHl liis nrin ; and Hu-
bert's voice vvhisjx^nMl liurriodly in iiis vav :

" Hush, for God's sake ! It is ihv, kino- ! "

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

218

CHAPTER XX.

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

The effect of the whisper was magical. Ever^^thing
that had been dark before became clear as noonday ; and
Sir l^orman sat absolutely astounded at his own stupidity
in not having found it out for himself before. Every
feature, notwithstanding the disguise of wig and beard,
became perfectly familiar ; and even through the well-
assumed voice, he recognized the royal tones. It struck
him all at once, and with it the fact of Leoline's increased
danger. Count L'Estrange was a formidable rival, but
King Charles of England was even more formidable
Thought is quick — quicker than the electric telegraph
or balloon traveling ; and in two seconds the whole state
of things with all the attendant surprises and dangers
danced before his mind's eye like a panorama ; and he
comprehended the past, the present, and the future, before
Hubert had sibilated the last word of his whisper. lie
turned his eyes, with a very new and singular sensation,
upon the quondam count, and found that gentleman look-
ing very hard at him, with a preternaturally grave ex-
pression of countenance. Sir l^orman knew as well as
anybody the varying moods of his royal countship and
notvfithstanding his general good nature, it was not safe
to trifle with him at all times ; so he repressed every out-
r ward sign of emotion whatever, and resolved to treat
him as Count L'Estrange until he should choose to sail
under his own proper colors.

" Well," said the count, with unruffled calmness, " and
so you decline to go any further. Sir Norman ? "

Hubert's eye was fixed with a warning gleam upon
him, and Sir Norman composedly answered :

214 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" No, count ; I do not absolutely decline — but before I
do go any further, I should like to know by what right
do you bring all these men here, and what are your in-
tentions in so doing ? "

" And if I refuse to answer ? "

" Then I refuse to move a step further in the busi-
ness ! " said Sir Norman, with decision.

" And why, my good friend ? You surely can have no
objection to anything that can be done against highway-
men and cut- throats ? "

" Right ! I have no objection, but others may."

" Whom do you mean by others ? "

"The king, for instance. His gracious majesty is
whimsical at times ; and who knows but he may take it
into his royal head to involve us somehow with them ?
I know the adage, ' put not your trust in princes.' "

" Very good," said the count, with a slight and irre-
pressible smile ; " your prudence is beyond ail praise !
But I think, in this matter, I may safely promise to stand
between you and the king's wrath. Look at these horse-
men behind you, and see if they do not wear the uniform
of his majesty's ow^i body-guard."

Sir Norman looked, and saw the dazzle of their splendid
equipments glancing and glittering in the moonbeams.

" I see. Then you have the royal perisiission for all
this ? "

"You have said it. Now, most scrupulous of men,
proceed ! "

" Look there ! " exclaimed Hubert, suddenly, pointing
to a corner of the ruin. " Some one has seen us, and is
going now to give the alarm."

" He shall miss it, though ! " said Sir Norman, detect-
ing, at the same instant, a dark figure flitting through the
broken doorway ; and striking spurs into his horse, he was
instantaneously beside it, out of the saddle, and had
grasi)ed the retreater by the shoulder.

" ]>y your leave ! " exclaimed Sir Norman. " Not quite
so fast I Stand out liere in the moonlight, until I see w^ho
you are."

"Let me go!" cried the man, gra])pling witli his op-
ponent. " 1 know who you are, and I swear you'll never

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

215

see moonlight or sunlight again, if you do not instantly
let me go."

Sir Norman recognized the voice with a perfect shout
of delight :

" The duke, by all that's lucky ! Oh, I'll let you go-
but not until the hangman gets hold of you. Villain
and robber, you" shall pay for misdeeds now ! "

" Hold ! " shouted the commanding voice of Count
L'Estrange. " Cease, Sir Norman Kingsley ! there is no
time, and this is no person for you to scoff with. He is
our prisoner, and shall show us the nearest way into this
den of thieves. Give me your sword, fellow, and be thank-
ful I do not make you shorter by the head with it."

" You do not know him ! " cried Sir Norman, in vivid
excitement. " I tell you this is the identical scoundrel
who attempted to rob and murder you a few hours ago."

" So much the better ! He shall pay for that and all
his other shortcomings, before long ! But, in the mean-
time, I order him to bring us before the rest of this out-
lawed crew."

" I shall do nothing of the kind," said the duke, sullenly.

" Just as you please. Here, my men, two of you take
hold of this scoundrel, and despatch him at once."

The guard had all dismounted ; and two of them came
forward with edifying obedience, to do as they were told.

The effect upon the duke was miraculous. Instantly
he started up, with an energy perfectly amazing :

" No, no, no ! I'll do it ! Come this way, gentlemen,
and I'll bring you direct into their midst. Oh, good
Lord ! whatever will become of us ? "

This last frantic question was addressed to society in
general, but Sir Norman felt called upon to answer :

" That's very easily told, my man. If you and the rest
of your titled associates receive your deserts (as there is
no doubt you will) from the gracious hand of our sov-
ereign lord the king, the strongest rope and highest gal-
lows at Tyburn will be your elevated destiny."

The duke groaned dismally, and would have come to a
halt to beg mercy on the spot, had not Hubert given him
a probe in the ribs with the point of his dagger, that sent
him on again, with a distracted howl.

216

THE MIDISriGIIT QUEEK

" Why, this is a perfect Hades ! " said the count, as he
stumbled after, in the darkness. " Are you sure we are
going right, Kingsley ? "

The inquiry was not unnatural, for the blackness was
perfectly Tartarian, and the soldiers behind were knock-
ing their tall shins against all kinds of obstacles as they
groped blindly along, invoking from them countless curses
not loud, but deep.

" I don't know whether we are or not," said Sir Nor-
man, significantly, only God help him if we're not ! Where
are you taking us to, you black-looking bandit ? "

" I give you my word of honor, gentlemen," said an im-
ploring voice in the darkness, " that I'm leading you, by
the nearest way, to the Midnight Court. All I ask of
you in return is, that you will let me enter before you ;
for if they find that I lead you in, my life will not be
worth a moment's purchase."

" As if it ever was worth it," said Sir l^orman, contemp-
tuously. " On with you, and be thankful I don't save your
companions the trouble, by making an end of you where
you stand."

"Rush along, old fellow," suggested Hubert, giving
him another poke with his dagger, that drew forth a
second doleful howl. -

l^otwithstanding the darkness, Sir Norman discovered
that they were being led in a direction exactly opposite
that by which he had previously effected an entrance.
They were in the vault, he knew, by the darkness, though
they had descended no staircase, and he was just wonder-
ing if their guide was not meditating some treachery by
such a circuitous route, when suddenly a tumult of voices,
and uproar, and confusion, met his ear. At the same in-
stant, their guide opened a door, revealing a dark passage,
illuminated by a few rays of light, and which Sir Nor-
man instantly recognized as that leading to the Black
Oliamber. Here again the duke paused, and turned round
to them with a wildly-imploring face.

" Gentlemen, I do conjure you to let me enter before
you do ! 1 tell you they will murder me the very instant
they discover T liave led you luu-e ! "

"Tliat would be a great pity ! " said the count ; "and

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

217

the gallows will be cheated of one of its brightest orna-
ments! Tiiat is your den of thieves, I suppose, from
which all this uproar comes ? "

" It is. And as I have guided you safely to it, surely I
deserve this trifling boon.

" Trifling do you call it," interposed Sir Norman, " to
let you make your escape, as you most assuredly will do
the moment you are out of our sight ? I^o, no ; we are
too old birds to be caught with such chaft' ; and. though
the informer always gets ofl scot-free, your services de-
serve no such boon ; for we could have found our way
without your help ! On with you. Sir Robber ; and if
your companions do kill you, console yourself with the
thought that they have only anticipated the executioner
by a few days ! "

With a perfectly heartrending groan, the unfortu-
nate duke walked on ; but when they reached the arch-
way directly before the room, he came to an obstinate
halt, and positively refused to go a step further. It was
death, anyway, and he resisted with the courage of des-
peration, feeling he might as well die there as go in and
be assassinated by his confederates, and not even the per-
suasive influence of Hubert's dagger could prevail on him
to budge an inch further.

" Stay, then ! " said the count with perfect indifference.
" And, soldiers, see that he does not escape ! Xow, Kings-
ley, let us just have a glimpse of what is going on within."

Though the party had made considerable noise in ad-
vancing, and had spoken quite loudly in their little ani-
imated discussion with the duke, so great was the turmol
and confusion within, that it was not heeded or even
heard. With very different feelings from those with which
he had stood there last. Sir N'orman stepped forward and
stood before the count, looking at the scene within.

The crimson court was in a state of " most admired dis-
order," and the confusion of tongues was equal to Babel.
No longer were they languidly promenading, or lolling in
cushioned chairs ; but all seemed running to and fro in
the Avildest excitement, which the grandest duke among
them seemed to share equally with the terrified white
sylphs. Everybody appeared to be talking together, and

218

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

paying no attention whatever to the sentiments of their
neighbors. One universal center of union alone seemed
to exist, and that was the green, judicial table near the
throne, upon which while all tongues ran, all eyes turned.
For some minutes, neither of the beholders could make out
why, owing to the crowd (principally of the ladies) press-
ing around it ; but Sir Norman guessed, and thrilled
through with a vague sensation of terror, lest it should
prove the dead body of Miranda. Skipping in and out
among the females he saw the dwarf performing a sort of
war-dance of rage and frenzy; twining both hands in his
wig, as if he would have torn it out by the roots, and anon
tearing at somebody else's wig, so that everybody backed
of£ when he came near them.

" Who is that little fiend ? " inquired the count ; " and
what have they got there at the end of the room,
pray ? "

" That little fiend is the ringleader here, and is entitled
Prince Caliban. Regarding your other question," said Sir
Norman, with a faint thrill, " there was a table there when
I saw it last, but I am afraid there is something worse
now."

" Could ever mortal conceive of such a scene," observed
the count to himself ; " look at that little picture of ugli-
ness ; how he hops about like a dropsical bull-frog. Some
of those women are very pretty, too, and outshine more
than one court- beauty that I have seen. Upon my word,
it is the most extraordinary spectacle I've ever heard of.
I wonder what they've got that's so attractive down
there ? "

At the same moment, a loud voice within the circle
abruptly exclaimed :

" She revives, she revives ! Back, back, and give her
air!"

Instantly, the throng swayed and fell back ; and the
dwarf, with a sort of yell (whether of rage or relief, no-
body knew), swept tliem from side to side with a wave of
his long arms, and cleared a wide vacancy for his own
special ])encfit. The action gave the count an o})por-
tunity of gratifying his curiosity. Tlie object of attrac-
tion was now plainly visible. Sir Norman's surmises bad

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

219

been correct. The green table of the parliament-house
of the midnight court had been converted, by the aid of
cushions and pillows, into an extempore couch ; and half-
buried in their downy depths lay Miranda, the queen.
The sweeping robes of royal purple, trimmed with ermine,
the circlets of jewels on arms, bosom and head, she still
wore, and the beautiful face was w^hiter than falling snow.
Yet she was not dead, as Sir Norman had dreaded ; for
the dark eyes were open, and were fixed with an unutter-
able depth of melancholy on vacancy. Her arms lay help-
lessly by her side, and some one, the court physician
j)robably, was bending over her and feeling her pulse.
As the count's eyes fell upon her, he started back, and
grasped Sir i^orman's arm with consternation.

" Good heavens, Kingsley ! " he cried ; " it is Leoline,
herself ! "

In his excitement he had spoken so loud, that in the
momentary silence that followed the physician's direction
his voice had rung through the room, and drew every eye
upon them.

" We are seen, we are seen ! " shouted Hubert, and as
he spoke, a terrible cry filled the room. In an instant
every sword leaped from its scabbard, and the shrieks of
the startled women rung appallingly out on the air. Sir
Norman drew his sword, too : but the count, with his
eyes yet fixed on Miranda, still held him by the arm, and
excitedly exclaimed :

" Tell me, tell me, is it Leoline ? "

" Leoline ! No — how could it be Leoline ? They look
alike, that's all. Draw your sword, count, and defend
yourself ; we are discovered, and they are upon us ! "

" We are upon them, you mean, and it is they who are
discovered," said the count, doing as directed, and stepi^ing
boldly in. " A x)retty hornet's nest is this we have lit
upon, if ever there was one."

Side by side with the count, with a dauntless step and
eye. Sir Norman entered, too ; and, at sight of him a burst
of surprise and fury rung from lip to lip. There was a
yell of " Betrayed, betrayed ! " and the dwarf, with a face
so distorted by fiendish fury that it was scarcely human,
made a frenzied rush at him, when the clear, commanding

220

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

voice of the count rung like a bugle-blast through the
assembly :

" Sheathe your swords, the whole of you, and yield
yourselves prisoners. In the king's name I command you
to surrender."

" There is no other king here but I ! " screamed the
dw^arf, gnashing his teeth, and fairly foaming with rage.
" Die, traitor and spy ! You have escaped me once, but
your hour is come now."

" Allow me to differ from you," said Sir Norman, po-
litely, as he evaded the blindly-frantic lunge of the dwarf's
sword, and inserted an inch or two of the point of his
own in that enraged little prince's anatomy. " So far
from my hour having come — if you will take the trouble
to reflect upon it — you will find it is the reverse, and that
my little friend's brief and brilliant career is rapidly draw-
ing to a close."

At these bland remarks, and at the sharp thrust that
accompanied them, the dwarf's previous war-dance of
anxiety was nothing to the hornpipe of exasperation he
went through when Sir Norman ceased. The blood was
raining from his side, and from the point of his adversary's
sword, as he withdrew it; and, maddened like a wild
beast at the sight of his own blood, he screeched and
foamed, and kicked about own stout little legs, and
gnashed his teeth, and made grabs at his wig, and lashed
the air with his sword, and made such desperate pokes
Avith it, at Sir Norman and everybody else who came in
his way, tliat, for the public good, the young knight ran
him through the sword-arm, and, in spite of all his dis-
tracted didoes, captured him by the help of Plubert, and
])assed him over to the soldiers to cheer and keep com-
pany with the duke.

This brisk little affair being over. Sir Norman had
time to look about him. It had all passed in so short a
space, and the dAvarf had been so desperately frantic, that
the rest liiul paused involuntarily, and were still look-
ing on. ^rissing tlie count, he glanced around the room,
and discovered him standing on Miranda's throne, looking
over the company with the cool air of a conqueror. Mir-
anda, aroused, as slie very well might be by all this

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

221

screaming and fighting, had partly raised herself upon
her elbow, and was looking wildly about her. * As her
eye fell on Sir Norman, she sat fairly erect, with a cry of
exultation and joy :

" You have come, you have come, as I knew you would,"
slie excitedly cried, "and the hour of retribution is at
hand ! "

At the words of one who, a few moments before, they
liad supposed to be dead, an awe-struck silence fell ; and
the count, taking advantage of it, waved his hand, and
cried :

" Yield yourselves prisoners, I command you ! The
royal guards are without ; and the first of you who offers
the slightest resistance will die like a dog ! Ho, guards !
enter, and seize your prisoners ! "

Quick as thought the room was full of soldiers ; but the
rest of the order was easier said than obeyed. The robbers,
knowing their doom Avas death, fought with the fury of
desperation, and a short, wild and terrible conflict ensued.
Foremost in the melee Avas Sir IS^orman and the count ;
Vv'Iiile Hubert, who had taken possession of the dwarf's
sword, fought like a young lion. The shrieks of the
Avomen were heartrending, as they all fled, precipitately,
into the blue dining room ; and, crouching in the corners,
or flying distractedly about — true to their sex — made the
air resound Avith the most lamentable cries. Some five
or six, braver than the rest, alone remained ; and more
than one of these actually mixed in the affray, Avith a
heroism Avorthy a better cause. Miranda, still sitting
erect, and supported in the arms of a kneeling and trem-
bling sylph in white, AA^atched the conflict Avith terribly-
exultant eyes, that blazed brighter and brighter with the
lurid fires of Avengeful joy at every robber that fell.

" Oh, that I Avere strong enough to Avield a SAvord ! "
was her fierce aspiration every instant ; " if I could only
mix in that battle for five minutes, I could die Avith a
happy heart ! "

Had she been able to wield a SAVord for five minutes,
according to her Avish, she Avould probably have wielded
it from beginning to end of the battle ; for it did not last
much longer than that. The robbers fought with

222

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

fury and ferocity ; but they had been taken by surprise,
and were overpowered by numbers, and obliged to
yield.

The crimson court was indeed crimson now ; for the
velvet carpeting was dyed a more terrible red, and was
slippery with a rain of blood ! A score of dead and dying
lay groaning on the ground ; and the rest, beaten and
bloody, gave up their swords, and surrendered.

" You should have done this at first ! " said the count,
coolly wiping his blood-stained weapon, and replacing it
in its sheath ; " and, by so doing, saved some time and
more bloodshed. Where are all the fair ladies, Kingsley,
I saw here when we entered first ? "

" They fled like a flock of frightened deer," said Hubert,
taking it upon himself to answer, " through yonder arch-
way when the fight commenced. I will go in search of
them, if you like."

" I am rather at a loss what to do with them," said the
count, half-laughing. " It would be a pity to bring such
a cavalcade of pretty women into the city to die of the
plague. Can you suggest nothing, Sir Norman ? "

" Nothing, but to leave them here to take care of them-
selves, or let them go free."

" They would be a great addition to the court at White-
hall," suggested Hubert, in his prettiest tone ; " and a
thousand times handsomer than half the damsels there.
There, for instance, is one a dozen times more beautiful
than Mistress Stuart herself ! "

Leaning, iii his nonchalant Avay, on the hilt of his sword,
he pointed to Miranda, whose fiercely- joyful eyes were
fixed with a glance that made the three of them shudder,
on the bloody floor and the heap of slain.

" Who is that ? " asked the count, curiously. " Why is
she perched up there, and why does she bear such an ex-
traordinary reseml)lance to Leoline ? Do you know any-
thing al)out her, Kingsley ? "

"I know she is tlie wife of that unlovely little man,
wJiose liowls in yonder passage you can lioar, if you listen,
and that she was the qnoon of this midnight court, and
is wounded, if not dying, now ! "

"I never saw such fierce eyes before in a female head I

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT. 223

One would think she fairly exulted in this wholesale
slaughter of her subjects."

"So she does ; and she hates both her husband and her
subjects, with an intensity you cannot conceive of."

" How very like royalty ! " observed Hubert, in paren-
thesis. " If she were a real queen, she could not act more
naturally."

Sir l^orman smiled, and the count glanced at the auda-
cious page suspiciously ; but Hubert's face was touching
to witness, in its innocent unconsciousness. Miranda,
looking up at the same time, caught the young knight's
eye, and made a motion for him to approach. She held
out both her hands to him as he came near, with the same
look of dreadful delight.

" Sir ISTorman Kingsley, I am dying, and my last words
are in thanksgiving to you for having thus avenged me ! "

" Let us hope you have many days to live yet, fair lady,"
said Sir Norman, with the same feeling of repulsion he
had experienced in the dungeon. " I am sorry you have
been obliged to witness this terrible scene."

" Sorry ! " she cried, fiercely. " Why, since the first
hour I remember at all, I remember nothing that has
given me such joy as what has passed now ; my only re-
gret is that I did not see them all die before my eyes !
Sorry ! I tell you I would not have missed it for ten
thousand worlds ! "

" Madam, you must not talk like this ! " said Sir Nor-
man, almost sternly. " Heaven forbid there should exist
a woman who could rejoice in bloodshed and death. You
do not, I know. You wrong yourself and your own na-
ture in saying so. Be calm now ; do not excite yourself.
You shall come with us, and be properly cared for ; and I
feel certain you have a long and happy life before you yet."

" Who are those men ? " she said, not heeding him,
" and who — ah, great Heaven ! What is that ? "

In looking round, she had met Hubert face to face.
She knew that that face was her own ; and, with a horror
stamped on every feature that no words can depict, she
fell back, with a terrible scream, and was dead !

Sir ISTorman was so shocked by the suddenness of the
last catastrophe, that, for some time, he could not realize

224

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

that she had actually expired, until he bent over her, and
placed his ear to her -lips. No breath was there ; no pulse
stirred in that fierce heart — the Midnight Queen wac iji-
deed dead !

" Oh, this is fearful ! " exclaimed Sir Norman, pale and
horrified.

" The sight of Hubert, and his wonderful resemblance
to her, has completed what her wound and this excitement
began. Her last is breathed on earth ! "

" Peace be with lier ! " said the count, removing his hat,
which, up to the present, he had worn. " And now. Sir
Norman, if we are to keep our engagement at sunrise, we
had better be on the move ; for, unless I am greatly mis-
taken, the sky is already gray with day-dawn."

" What are your commands ? " asked Sir Norman, turn-
ing away, with a sigh, from the beautiful form already
stiffening in death.

" That you come with me to seek out those frightened
fair ones^Avho are a great deal too lovely to share the fate
of their male companions. I shall give them their liberty
to go where they please, on condition that they do not
enter the city. We have enough vile of their class there
already."

Sir Norman silently followed him into the azure and
silver saloon, where the crowd of duchesses and countesses
were " weeping and wringing their hands," and as white
as so many pretty ghosts. In a somewhat brief and forci-
ble manner, considering his characteristic gallantry, the
count m'dda his proposal, which, with feelings of pU^asure
and relief, was at once acceded to ; and the two gentlemen
bowed themselves out, and left the startled ladies.

On returning to the crimson court, he commanded a
nuinhei- of his sohhers to remain and bury the dead, and
jussist the vv()iiii(!(m1 ; and tlien, followed by the remainder
and the pi'is()n(!rs under their charge, passed out, and wei e
soon from tlie liealed atniosplHn'e in the cool morning air.
The moon was still serenely shining, but the stars that
keep the earliest liours were sc^tting, and the eastern sky
Avas growing light with the liazy gray of coming morn.

" I told you day-da wn was at liand," H'^M the (jount, as

AT THE PLAGUE-PIT.

225

he sprung into his saddle ; " and, lo ! in the sky it is gray
ah'eady."

" It is time for it ! " said Sir Korman, as he, too, got into
his seat; "this has been the longest night I have ever
known and the most eventful one of my life."

" And the end is not yet ! Leoline Avaits to decide be-
tween us!"

Sir Norman shrugged his shoulders.

" True ! But I have little doubt what that decision
will be ! I presume you will have to deliver up your
prisoners before you can visit her, and I will avail my-
self of the opportunity to snatch a few moments to fulfil
a melancholy duty of my own."

" As you please. I have no objection ; but in that case
you will need some one to guide you to the place of ren-
dezvous ; so I will order my private attendant yonder, to
keep you in sight, and guide you to me when your business
is ended."

The count had given the order to start, the moment
they had left the ruin, and the conversation had been
carried on while riding at a break-neck gallop. Sir Nor-
man thanked him for his offer, and they rode in silence
until they reached the city, and their paths diverged ; Sir
Norman's leading to the apothecary shop where he had
left Ormiston, and the count's leading — he knew best
where. George — the attendant referred to — joined the
knight, and leaving his horse in his care. Sir Norman en-
tered the shop, and encountered the spectral proprietor at
the door.

" What of my friend ? " was his eager inquiry. " Has
he yet shown signs of returning consciousness ? "

" Alas, no ? " replied the apothecary, with a groan, that
came wailing up like a whistle ; " he was so excessively
dead, that there was no use keeping him ; and as the room
was Avanted for other purposes, I — pray,my dear sir, don't
look so violent — I put him in the iDest-cart and had him
buried."

" In the plague-pit ! " shouted Sir Norman, making a
spring at him ; but the man darted off like a ghostly flash
into the inner room, and closed and bolted the door in a

226 THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

twinkling. Sir Norman kicked at it spitefully, but it re-
sisted his every effort ; and, overcoming a strong temptation
to smash every bottle in the shop, he sprung once more in-
to the saddle, and rode off to the plague-pit. It was the
second time within the last twelve hours he had stood
there ; and on the previous occasion, he who now lay in
it, had stood by his side. He looked down, sickened and
horror-struck at the dreadful seething, cracking mass, and
thought how little either of them dreamed that one was
so soon to be buried in its loathsome depths. Perhaps,
before another morning, he, too, might be there; and,
feeling his blood run cold at the thought, he was turning
away, when some one came rapidly up, and sunk down
with a moaning, gasping cry on its very edge. That
shape — tall and slender, and graceful — he well knew ;
and leaning over he laid his hand on her shoulder, and
exclaimed :
"La Masque!"

WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK. 227

CHAPTER XXI.

WHAT WAS BEHmD THE MASK.

The cowering form rose up ; but, seeing who it was,
sunk down again, with its face groveling in the dust, and
with another prolonged moaning cry :

" Madame Masque ! " he said, wonderingly ; " what is
this ? "

He bent to raise her ; but, with a sort of scream, she
held out her arms to keep him back.

" No, no, no I Touch me not ! Hate me — kill me ! I
have murdered your friend ! "

Sir Norman recoiled as if from a deadly serpent.

" Murdered him ! Madame, in Heaven's name, what
have you said ? "

" Oh, I have not stabbed him, or poisoned him, or shot
him ; but I am his murderer, nevertheless ! " she wailed,
writhing in a sort of gnawing inward torture.

" Madame, I do not understand you at all ! Surely you
are raving when you talk like this."

Still moaning on the edge of the plague-pit, she half
rose up, with both hands clasped tightly over her heart,
as if she would have held back from all human ken the
anguish that was destroying her.

" No — ^no I I am not mad — pray Heaven I were ! Oh,
that they had strangled me in the first hour of my birth,
as they would a viper, rather than I should have lived
through all this life of misery and guilt, to end it by this
last, worst crime of all ! "

Sir Norman stood and looked at her still " far wide."
He knew well enough whose murderer she called herself ;
but why she did so, or how she could possibly bring
about his death was a mystery altogether too perplexed
for him to solve.

228

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Ma'daine, compose yourself, I beseech you, and tell me
what you mean. It is to my friend, Ormiston, you allude
—is it not ? "

"Yes — ^yes I surely you need not ask."

"I know that he is dead and buried in this horrible
place ; but why you should accuse yourself of murdering
him, I confess I do not know."

" Then you shall ! " she cried passionately. " And you
will wonder at it no longer ! You are the last one to whom
the revelation can be made on earth ; and, now that my
hours are numbered, it matters little whether it is told or
not ! Was it not you who first found him dead ? "

"It was I — yes. And how he came to his end, I have
been puzzling myself in vain to discover ever since."

She rose up, drew herself to her full majestic height,
and looked at him with a terrible glance.

" Shall I tell you?"

" You have had no hand in it," he answered, with a
cold chill at the tone and look, " for he loved you ! "

" I have had a hand in it — I alone have been the cause
of it ! But for me he would be living still ! "

"Madame! " exclaimed Sir Norman, in horror.

" You need not look as if you thought me mad, for I
tell you it is Heaven's truth ! You say right — he loved
me ; but for that love he would be living now ! "

" You are speaking riddles which I cannot read. How
could that love have caused his death, since his dearest
wishes were to be granted to-night ? '

" He told you that, did he ? "

" He did. He told me you were to remove your mask ;
and if, on seeing you, he still loved you, you were to be
his wife,"

" Then woe to him for ever having extorted such a
promise from u\c. ! Oli, I warned liim again, and again,
iind again. T lold Iiini liow it would be — I begged him to
desist, but no, he Avns blind, lie was mad; he would rush
on liis own doom! I fnllilh'd niy promise, nnd heboid Iho
result!"

She poinU^d with a frantic gesture to tlie plague-pit,
and wrung lier beautiful hands with the same moaning
of anguisli.

WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK. 229

" Do I hear aright ? " said Sir Norman, looking at her,
and really doubting if his ears had not deceived him.
" Do you mean to say that, in keeping your word and
showing him your face, you have caused his death ? "

" I do ! I had warned him of it before. I told him
there were sights too horrible to look on and live, but
nothing would convince him ! Oh, why was the curse of
life ever bestowed upon such a hideous thing as I ! "

Sir Norman gazed at her in a state of hopeless be-
wilderment. He had thought, from the moment he saw
her first, that there was something wrong with her brain,
to make her act in such a mysterious, eccentric sort of
way ; but he had never positively thought her so far gone
as this. In his own mind, he set her down, now, as being
as mad as a March hare, and accordingly answered in that
soothing tone people use to imbeciles :

" My dear Madame Masque, pray do not excite yourself,
or say such dreadful things. I am sure you would not
willfully cause the death of any one, much less that of
one who loved you as he did."

La Masque broke into a wild laugh, almost worse to
hear than her former despairing moans.

" The man thinks me mad ! He will not believe, unless
he sees and knows for himself ! Perhaps you, too. Sir
Norman Kingsley," she cried, changing into sudden fierce-
ness, " would like to see the face behind this mask ? — would
like to see wliat has slain your friend, and sharq his fate ? "

" Certainly," said Sir Norman. " I should like to see
it ; and I think I may safely promise not to die from the
effects. But surely, madame, you deceive yourself ; no
face, however ugly — even supposing you to possess such
a one — could produce such dismay as to cause death."

" You shall see."

She was looking down into the plague-pit, standing so
close to its cracking edge, that Sir Norman's blood ran
cold, in the momentary expectation to see her slip and
fall headlong in. Her voice was less fierce and less wild,
but her hands were still clasped tightly over her heart,
as if to ease the unutterable pain there. Suddenly, she
looked up, and said, in an altered tone :

" You have lost Leoline ? "

230

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" And found her again. She is in the power of one
Count L'Estrange."

" And if in his power, pray, how have you found her ? "

" Because we are both to meet in her presence within
this very hour, and she is to decide between us."

" Has Count L'Estrange promised you this ? "

" He has."

" And you have no doubt what her decision may be?
« Not the slightest."

" How came you to know that sho was carried off by
this count ? "

" He confessed it himself."
« Voluntarily ? "

" No ; I taxed him with it, and he owned to the deed ;
but he voluntarily promised to take me to her, and abide
by her decision,"

" Extraordinary ! " said La Masque, as if to herself.
" Whimsical as he is, I scarcely expected he would give
her up so easily as this."

" Then you know him, madame ? " said Sir Norman
pointedly.

" There are few things I do not know, and rare dis-
guises I cannot penetrate. So you have discovered it,
too ? "

" No, Madame, my eyes were not sharp enough, nor had
I sufficient cleverness, even, for that. It was Hubert, the
Earl of Rochester's page, who told me who he was."

" Ah, the page ! said La Masque, quickly. " You have
then been speaking to him ? AYhat do you think of his
resemblance to Leoline ? "

" I think it was the most astonishing resemblance I ever
saw. But he is not the only one who bears Leoline's
face."

"And the other is?"

" The other is she whom you sent me to see in the old
ruins. Madame, I wish you would tell me the secret of
this wonderful likeness ; for I am certain you know, and
I am equally certain it is not accidental."

" You are right. Leoline knows already ; for, with the
presentinunit that my end was near, I visited her wlien
you left, and gave her her whole history, in writing. Tlio

WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK. 231

explanation is simple enough. Leoline, Miranda and
Hubert, are sisters and brother."

Some misty idea that such was the case had been strug-
gling through Sir Norman's slow mind, unformed and
without shape, ever since he had seen the trio ; therefore
he was not the least astonished when he heard the fact
announced. Only in one thing he was a little disappointed.

" Then Hubert is really a boy ? " he said, half -dejectedly.

" Certainly he is. What did you take him to be ? "

" Why, I thought — that is, I do not know," said Sir
Norman, quite blushing at being guilty of so much ro-
mance, " but that he was a woman in disguise. You see
he is so handsome, and looks so much like Leoline, that
I could not help thinking so."

"He is Leoline's twin brother — that accounts for it.
When does she become your wife?"

" This very morning, God willing ! " said Sir Norman,
fervently.

" Amen ! And may your life and hers be long and
happy. What becomes of the rest ? "

" Since Hubert's her brother, he shall come ^vith us, if
he will. As for the other, she, alas ! is dead."

"Dead!" cried La Masque. "How? When? She
was living, to-night ! "

" True ! She died of a wound."

" A wound ? Surely not given by the dwarf's hand ? "

" No, no ; it was quite accidental. But since you know
so much of the dwarf, perhaps you also know he is now
the king's prisoner ? "

"I did not know it; but I surmised as much when I
discovered you and Count L'Estrange, followed by such
a body of men, visited the ruin. Well, his career has
been long and dark enough, and even the plague seemed
to spare him for the executioner. And so the poor mock-
queen is dead ? Well, her sister will not long survive
her."

" Great heavens, madam ! " cried Sir Norman, aghast.
" You do not mean to say that Leoline is going to die ? "

" Oh, no ! I hope Leoline has a long and happy life
before her. But the wretched, guilty sister I mean is
myself ; for I, too, Sir Norman, am her sister."

THE :\IIDNIGIIT QUEEN.

At this new discloHiire, Sir Nf)rin;iii. stood perfectly
petrified, and La Mas(pie, looking down at the dreadful
place at her feet, went rapidly on :

" Alas and alas, that it should be so ; ljut it is the direful
truth. We bear the same name, we had the same father ;
and yet I have been the curse and bane of their lives."

" And Leoline knows this ? "

" She never knew until this night, or any one else alive ;
and no one should know it now, were not my ghastl}^ life
ending. I prayed her to forgive me for the wrong I have
done her and she may, for she is gentle and good — but
when, when shall I be able to forgive myself?"

The sharp pain in her voice jarred on Sir Norman's ear
and heart ; and, to get rid of its dreary echo, he hurriedly
asked :

" You say you bear the same name. May I ask what
that name is ? "

" It is one, Sir Norman Kingsley, before which your
own ancient title pales. We are Montmorencis, and in
our veins runs the proudest blood in France."

" Then Leoline is French, and of noble birth ? " said
Sir Norman, with a thrill of pleasure. " I loved her for
herself alone, and would have wedded her had she been
the child of a beggar ; but I rejoice to hear this, neverthe-
less. Her father, then, bore a title ? "

" Her father was the Marquis de Montmorenci, but
Leoline's mother and mine were not the same — had they
been, tlie lives of all four might have been very different ;
but it is too late to lament that now. ATy mother had no
gentle l)lood in her veins, as Leoline's had, for slie was
but a fisherman's daughter, torn from her home, and
marri(!d l)y forces Neitlier did slie love my fatlicr, not-
wilJislandiiig Iiis youtli, rank, and passionate love for her,
for sh(^ wns bclrolhcd to anotln^r hoxrfjeols^ like herself.
Vov liis smUc she rniiiscd ev(^n tli(^ title of iiKircliioncss,
()lf(!i"(!d iicriii (Jic! inoiiuMd. of youthfid and ardenl^ passion,
and (;hnig, with doalJdcss trntli, to \\vv lisluM"-lov(M'. Tlu^
blood of lh(; Alon ( inoi-cncis is Herein and liols ;ind l»rooks
no o|)i)osi( ion " (Sii- Norman Mionght of IMii'anda., and in-
wardly (►wncd IJiai lhai was a, fad ), '^aiid the niarijnis,
in his j('a,lous wrath, l)o(h \v.\\,vA and h)V(Hl luM"al- th(^ same

WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK.

233

time, and vowed deadly vengeance against her bourgeois
lover. That vow he kept. The young fisherman was
found one morning at his lady-love's door without a head,
and the bleeding trunk told no tales. Of course, for a
while, she was distracted and so on ; but when the first
shock of her grief was over, my father carried her off,
and will she nil she made her his wife. Fierce hatred, I
told you, was mingled with his fierce love, and before the
honeymoon was over it began to break out. One night,
in a fit of jealous passion, to which he was addicted, he
led her into a room she had never before been permitted
to enter ; showed her a grinning human skull, and told
her it was her lover's ! In his cruel exultation, he con-
fessed all ; how he had caused him to be murdered ; his
head severed from the body ; and brought here to punish
her some day for lier obstinate refusal to love him. Up
to this time she had been quiet and passive, bearing her
fate with a sort of dumb resignation ; but now a spirit of
vengeance, fiercer and more terrible than his own, began
to kindle within her; and, kneeling down before the
ghastly thing, she breathed a wish — a prayer — to the
avenging Jehovah, so unutterably horrible, that even her
husband had to fly with curdling blood from the room.
That dreadful prayer w^as heard — that wish fulfilled in me ;
but long before I looked on the light of day that frantic
v^oman had repented of the awful deed she had done.
Repentance came too late ; the sin of the father was visited
on the child, and on the mother, too, for the moment her
eyes fell upon me, she became a I'aving maniac, and died
before the first day of my life had ended. Nurse and
physician fled at the sight of me ; but my father, though
thrilled with horror, bore the shock, and bowed to the re-
tributive justice of the angry Deity she had invoked.;
His whole life, his whole nature, changed from that hour
and kneeling beside my dead mother, as he afterward told
me, he vowed before high Heaven to cherish and love me,
even as though I had not been the ghastly creature I was.
The physician he bound by a terrible oath to silence ; the
nurse he forced back, and, in spite of her disgust and ab-
horrence, compelled her to nurse and care for me. The
dead was buried out of sight ; and we had rooms in a dis-

234

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

tant part of the house which no one ever entered hut my
father and the nurse. Though set apart from my birth
as something accursed, I had the intellect and cajjacity of,
yes, far greater intellect and capacity than, most children;
and, as years passed by, my father, true to his vow, be-
came himself my tutor and companion. He did not love
me — that was an utter impossibility ; but time so blunts
the edge of all things, that even the nurse became recon-
ciled to me, and my father could scarcely do less than a
stranger. So I was cared for, and instructed, and edu-
cated ; and knowing not what a monstrosity I was, I loved
them both ardently, and lived on happily enough, in my
splendid prison, for my first ten years in this world. Then
came a change. My nurse died ; and it became clear that
I must quit my solitary life, and see the sort of world I
lived, in. So my father, seeing all this, sat down in the
twilight one night beside me, and told me the story of my
hideousness. I was but a child then, and it is many and
many years ago ; but this gray summer morning, I feel
what I felt then, as vividly as I did at the time. I had
not learned the great lesson of life, then — endurance. I
have scarcely learned it yet, or I should bear life's burden
longer, but that first night's despair has darkened my
whole after-life. For weeks I would not listen to my
father's proposal, to hide what would send all the world
from me in loathing behind a mask ; but I came to my
senses at last, and from that day to the present — more
days than either you or I would care to count — it has not
been one hour altogether ott' my face. I was the wonder
and talk of Paris, when I did appear ; and most of the sur-
mises were wild and wide of the mark enough — some even
going so far as to say it was all owing to my a\ (Midcrful
unheard-of beauty tiiatl was thus mysteriously concealed
from view. T lijul a soft voi(?e and a tolcnibh* shape; and
upon LI lis, I ])r(\suni(i, tlu^y fonndcd aHirnKiiion. J>ut
my latlK^r and I k(!pt onr own counsel, and let them say
what tliey listed. I had ncivc^r Ihh'u nanuul, as oUuu*
children nvo; but tlu;y (tailed mo, La Masipu^ now. T had
inast(trsan(l i)roless()rs without end, arid studied astronomy
and astrology, a,nd the mystic lore of the old l<'gy])tia.ns,
und IxMjame notcid as a i)r()digy, and a Avonder, and a mir-

WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK. 235

acle of learning, far and near. The arts used to discover
the mystery and make me unmask were innumerable and
almost incredible ; but I baffled them all, and began, after
a time, rather to enjoy the sensation I created than other-
wise. There was one, in particular, possessed of even
more devouring curiosity than the rest, a certain young
countess of miraculous beauty, whom I need not describe,
since you have her very image in Leoline. The Marquis
de Montmorenci, of a somewhat inflammable nature, loved
her almost as much as he had done my mother, and she
accepted him, and they were married. She may have
loved him (I see no reason why she should not), but still
to this day I think it was more to discover the secret of
La Masque than from any other cause. I loved my beauti-
ful new mother too well to let her find it out; although
from the day she entered our house as a bride, until that
on which she lay on her death-bed, her whole aim, day
and night, was its discovery. There seemed to be a fa-
tality about my father's wives ; for the beautiful Honorine
lived scarcely longer than her predecessor, and she died,
leaving those three children — twins, all of whom you al-
ready know, and one of whom you love. To my care she
intrusted them on her deathbed, and she could scarcely
have intrusted them to worse ; for, though I liked her, I
most decidedly disliked them. They were lovely children
— ^their lovely mother's image ; and they were named Hu-
bert, Leoline, and Honorine, or, as you knew her, Miranda.
Even my father did not seem to care for them much, not
even as much as he cared for me ; and when he lay on his
deathbed, one year later, I was left, young as I was, their
sole guardian, and trustee of all his wealth. That wealth
was not very fairly divided — one-half being left to me and
the other half to be shared equally between them ; but, in
my wicked ambition, I was not satisfied even with that.
Some of my father's fierce and cruel nature I inherited ;
and I resolved to be clear of those three stumbling-blocks,
and recompense myself for my other misfortunes by every
indulgence boundless riches could bestow. So, secretly,
and in the night, I left my home, with an old and trusty
servant, known to you as Prudence, and my unfortunate
little brother and sisters. Strange to say, Prudence was

236

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

attached to one of them, and to neither of the rest — that
one was Leoline, whom she resolved to keep and care for,
and neither she nor I minded what became of the other
two. From Paris we went to Dijon where we dropped
Hubert into the turn of the convent door, with his name
attached, and left him vv^here he would be well taken care
of and no questions asked. With the other two we went
to Dover, eu route for England; and there Prudence got
rid of Honorine in a singular manner. A packet was about
starting for the island of our destination, and she saw a
strange-looking little man carrying his luggage from the
wharf into a boat. She had the infant in her arms, hav-
ing carried it out for the identical purpose of getting rid
of it ; and, without more ado, she laid it down, unseen,
among boxes and bundles, and, like Hagar, stood afar off
to see what became of it. That ugly little man was the
dwarf ; and his amazement on finding it among his goods
and chattels you may imagine ; but he kept it notwith-
standing, though why is best known to himself. A few
weeks after that we, too, came over, and Prudence took up
her residence in a quiet village a long way from London.
Thus you see, Sir Norman, how it comes about that we are
so related, and the wrong I have done them all."

" You have, indeed ! " said Sir Norman, gravely, having
listened, much shocked and displeased, at this open con--
fession ; " and to one of them it is beyond your power to
atone. Do you know the life of misery to which she has
been assigned ? "

"I know it all, and have repented for it in my OAvn
heart, in dust and ashes ! Even I — unlike all other
earthly creatures as I am — have a conscience, and it has
given me no rest night or day since. From that hour I
have never lost sight of tliem ; every sorrow they have
undergone lias hwn laiown to me, and added to my own;
and yet T could iiol, or would not, undo Avhat I had done.
Leoline knows all now ; and she will tell Hubert, since
destiny has brought tlunn together ; and whether they
will forgive me I know not. Hut yet they miglit ; for
tliey ha,v(i long and l>a,])})y lives before them and we
can forgive evcn-ything to the dead."

" 15ut you are not dead," said Sir Norman ; "and there

WHAT WAS BEHIND THE MASK.

237

is repentance and pardon for all. Much as you have
wronged them, they Avill forgive you ; and Heaven is not
less merciful than they ! "

" They may ; for I have striven to atone. In my
house there are proofs and papers that will put them in
possession of all, and more than all, they have lost. But
life is a burden of torture I will bear no longer. The
death of him who died for me this night is the crowning
tragedy of my miserable life ; and if my hour were not
nt hand, I should not have told you this."

" But you have not told me the fearful cause of so
much guilt and suffering. AYhat is behind that mask ? "

" Would you too see ? " she asked, in a terrible voice,

and die ? "

" I have told you it is not in my nature to die easily,
and it is something far stronger than mere curiosity
makes me ask."

" Be it so ! the sky is growing red Avith day-dawn, and
and I shall never see the sun rise more, for I am already
plague-struck."

That sweetest of all voices ceased. The white hands
removed the mask and the floating fall of hair, and re-
vealed, to Sir Norman's horror-struck gaze, the grisly
face and head of bone — the hollow eye-sockets, the grin-
ning mouth, and fleshless cheeks of a skeleton !

He saw it but for one fearful instant — the next, she
had thrown up both arms, and leaped headlong into the
loathly plague-pit. He saw her for a second or two heav-
ing and writhing in the putrid heap ; and then the strong
man reeled and fell with his face on the ground, not faint-
ing, but sick unto death. Of all the dreadful things he
had witnessed that night there was nothing so dreadful
as this ; of all the horror he had felt before, there was
none to equal what he felt now. In his momentary
delirium, it seemed to him she was reaching her arms of
bone up to drag him in, and that the skeleton face was
mopping, and mowing, and grinning at him on the edge
of the awful pit. And, covering his eyes with his
hands, he sprung up and fled away.

238

THE MIDNIGHT QFEEN.

CHAPTER XXII.

DAY-DAWN.

All this time, the attendant, George, had been sitting,
very much at his ease, on horseback, looking after Sir
ISTorman's charger and admiring the beauties of sunrise.
He had seen Sir Norman in conversation with a strange
female, and not much liking his near proximity to the
plague-pit, was rather impatient for it to come to an end ;
but when he saw the tragic manner in which it did end,
his consternation was beyond all bounds. Sir Nor-
man, in his horrified flight, would have fairly passed him
unnoticed, had not George arrested him by a loud " view-
hallo ! "

" I beg your pardon. Sir Norman," he exclaimed, as
that gentleman turned his distracted face ; " but it seems
to me you are running away. Here is your horse ; and
allow me to say, unless we hurry we will scarcely 'reach
the count by sunrise."

Sir Norman leaned against his horse, and shaded his
eyes with his hand, shuddering like one in an ague.

" Why did that woman leap into the plague-pit ? " in-
quired George, looking at him curiously. " Was it not
the sorceress. La Masque ? "

" Yes, yes. I3o not ask me any questions now," replied
Sir Norman, in a smothered voice, and with an impatient
wave of his hand.

" Whatever you please sir," said George, with the flip-
pancy of his class ; " but still I must repeat, if you do
not mount instantly, we will be late ; and my master,
the count, is not one who brooks delay."

The young kniglit vaulted into the saddle without a
word, and started off at a breakneck pace into the city.
George, almost iiniil)le to keep u]) with him, followed in-
stead of leading, rather skeptical in liis own mind whether

DAY-DAWN.

239

he was not riding after a moon- struck lunatic. Once or
twice he shouted out a sharp-toned inquiry as to whether
he knew where he was going, and that they were taking
the wrong way : to all of which Sir Norman deigned not
the slightest reply, but rode more recklessly on. George
followed, dauntlessly determined to do it or die in the at-
tempt ; and if he had ever heard of the Flying Dutchman,
would undoubtedly have come to the conclusion that he
was just then following his track on dry land. But, un-
like the hapless Yanderdecken, Sir Norman came to a
halt at last, and that so suddenly that his horse stood on
his beam-ends, and flourished his two fore limbs in the
atmosphere. It was before La Masque's door ; and Sir
Norman was out of the saddle in a flash, and knocking
like a postman with the handle of his whip on the door.
The thundering reveille rung through the house, making
it shake to its center, and brought the anatomy who acted
as guardian angel of the establishment, and with an
excited rush.

" La Masque is not at home, and I cannot admit you,"
was his sharp salute.

" Then I shall just take the trouble of admitting my-
self," said Sir Norman, shortly.

And without further ceremony, he pushed aside the
skeleton and entered. But that outraged servitor sprung
in his path, indignant and amazed,

" No, sir ; I cannot permit it. I do not know you ; and
it is against all orders to admit strangers in La Masque's
absence."

" Bah ! you old simpleton ! " remarked Norman, losing
his customary respect for old age in his imijatience, "I
have La Masque's order for what I am about to do. Get
along with you directly, will you ? Show me to her pri-
vate room, and no nonsense ! "

He tapped his sword-hilt significantly as he spoke, and
that argument proved irresistible. Grumbling, sotto voce^
the anatomy stalked up- stairs ; and the other followed,
with very different feelings from those with which he had
mounted that staircase last. His guide paused in the hall
above, with his hand on the latch of a door.

240

THE MII)?sKaiT QUEEN.

" This is her private room, is it ? " demanded Sir Nor-
man.
"Yes."

" Just stand aside, then, and let me pass."

Tiie room he entered was small, simply furnished, and
seemed to answer as bedchamber and study, all in one.
There was a writing-table under a window, covered with
books, and he glanced at them v/ith some curiosity. They
v/ere classics, Greek and Latin, and other unknown
tongues — perhaps Sanscrit and Chaldaic, French belles
lettres^ novels, and poetry, and a few rare old English
books. There were no papers, however, and those were
what he was in search of ; so s^Dying a drawer in the table,
he pulled it hastily open. The sight that met his eyes
fairly dazzed him. It was full of jewels of incomparable
beauty and value, strewn as carelessly about as if they
were " sclate-stanes." The blaze of gems at the midnight
court seemed to him as nothing compared with the
Golconda, the Valley of Diamonds shooting forth sparks
of rainbow-fire before him now. Around one magnificent
diamond necklace was entwined a scrap of paper, on
which was written :

" The family jewels of the Montmorencis. To be given
to my sisters when I am dead."

That settled their destiny. All this blaze of diamonds
rubies and opals were Leoline's ; and with the energetic
rapidity characteristic of our young friend that morning,
he swept them out on the table, and resumed his search
for papers. No document was there to reward his search,
but the brief one twined round the necklace; and he was
about giving up in despair, when a small brass slide in
one corner caught his eye. Instantly he was at it, trying-
it every Avay, slioving it out and in, and up and down,
initil at last it yielded to Ids touch, disclosing- an inner
drawer, full ol" j)ai)('rs and ])ar('liments. One glance showed

tlKJin to ))(' what he was in search of ])i()ofs of L(K)line's

and Hubert's identity, with the will of the nianpiis, theii-
father, and numerous other documents relative to his
weal til and estates. 'I'hese precious manuscripts he rolled
together in a bundle, and placed car(!fully in his doublet,
juid then s(Mzing a In^autifully-wrought brass casket, that

DAY-DAWX.

241

stood beneath the table, he swept the jewels in, secured it,
and strapped it to his belt. This brisk and important
little affair being over, he arose to go, and in turning, saw
the skeleton porter standing in the doorway, looking on
in speechless dismay.

" It 's all right, my ancient friend ! " observed Sir Nor-
man, gravely. " These papers, must go before the king,
and these jewels to their proper owner."

" Their proper owner ! " repeated the old man, shrilly ;
" that is La Masque. Thief — robber — housebreaker —
stop ! "

" My good old friend, you will do yourself a mischief if
you bawl like that. Undoubtedly these things were La
Masque's, but they are so no longer, since La Masque her-
self is among the things that were ! "

" You shall not go ! " yelled the old man, trembling
with rage and anger. " Help ! help ! help ! "

" l^ou noisy old idiot ! " cried Sir Xorman, losing all
patience, " I will throw you out of the window if you keep
up such a clamor as this. I tell you La Masque is
dead ! "

At this ominous announcement, the ghastly porter fell
back, and became, if possible, a shade more ghastly than
was his wont.

" Dead and buried ! " repeated Sir ISTorman, with gloomy
sternness ; " and there will be somebody else coming to
take possession shortly. How many more servants are
there here beside yourself ? "

" Only one, sir — my wife Joanna. In mercy's name,,
sir, do not turn us out in the streets at this dreadful
time ! "

" 'Not I ! Y'"ou and your wife Joanna may stagnate here
till you blue-mold, for me. But keep the door fast, my
good old friend, and admit no strangers, but those who
can tell you La Masque is dead I "

With which parting piece of advice Sir Korman left the
house, and joined George, who sat like an effigy before
the door, in a state of great mental wrath, and who
accosted him rather sullenly the moment he made his
appearance.

" I tell you what, Sir ISTorman Kingsley, if you have

242

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

many more morning calls to make, I shall beg leave to
take my departure. As it is, I know we are behind time,
and his ma — the count, I mean, is not one who is accus-
tomed or inclined to be kept waiting."

" I am quite at your service now," said Sir Norman,
springing on horseback ; " so away with you, quick as you
like."

George wanted no second order. Before the words
were well out of his companion's mouth, he was dashing
away like a bolt from a bow, as furiously as if on a steeple-
chase, with Sir Norman close at his heels. This chain-
lightning rate of going speedily brought them to their
destination ; and they rode, flushed and breathless, with
their steeds all a-foaming, into the court yard of the royal
palace at Whitehall, just as the early rising sun was
showing his florid and burning visage above the horizon.

The court-yard, unlike the city streets, swarmed with
busy life. Pages, and attendants, and soldiers were mov-
ing hither and thither, or lounging about, preparing for
the morning's journey to Oxford. Among the rest Sir
Norman observed Hubert, lying very much at his ease
wrapped in his cloak, on the ground, and chatting lan-
guidly with a pert and pretty attendant of the fair Mis-
tress Stuart. He cut short his flirtation, however, ab-
ruptly enough, and sprung to his feet as he saw Sir Nor-
man, while George immediately darted off and disappeared
within the palace.

" Am I late, Hubert ? " said his hurried questioner, as
he drew the lad's arm within his own, and led him off out
of hearing.

" I think not. The count," said Hubert, with laughing
emphasis, " has not been visible since he entered yonder
doorway, and there has been no message that I have heard
of. Doubtless, now that George has arrived, the message
will soon be here, for the royal procession starts within
half an liour."

"Are you sure there is no trick, Hubert? Even now
he may be with Leoline I "

Hubert shrugged his shoulders.

" He may be ; we must take our chance for that ; but
we have his royal word to the contrary. Not that I have

DAY-DAWN.

243

much faith in that I " said Hubert, in parenthesis, " kings'
promises and French porcelain being only made to be
broken ! "

" If he were king of the world instead of only England,"
cried Sir Norman, with flashing eyes, " he should not have
Leoline while I wore a sword to defend her ! "

" Regicide ! " exclaimed Hubert, holding up both hands
in affected horror. " Do my ears deceive me ? In this
the loyal and chivalrous Sir Norman Kingsley, ready to
die for king and country — "

" Stuff and nonsense ! " interrupted Sir Norman, im-
patiently. " Don't talk absurdly all the time, Hubert, if
you can help it ! I tell you any one, be he whom he may,
that attempts to take Leoline from me, must reach her
over my dead body ! "

" Bravo ! You ought to be a Frenchman, Sir Norman !
And what if the lady herself, finding her dazzling suitor
drop his barn-yard feathers, and soar over her head in
his own eagle plumes, may not give you your coup de
conge^ and usurp the place of pretty Madam Stuart."

" You cold-blooded young villain ! if you insinuate
such a thing again, I'll throttle you ! Leoline loves me,
and me alone ! "

" Doubtless she thinks so ; but she has yet to learn she
has a king for a suitor ! "

" Bah ! You are nothing but a heartless cynic," said
Sir Norman, yet with an anxious and irritated flush on
his face, too. " What do you know of love ? "

" More than you think, as pretty Mariette yonder could
depose, if put upon oath. But seriously, Sir Norman, I
am afraid your case is of the most desperate ; royal rivals
are dangerous things ! "

" Yet Charles has kind impulses, and has been known
to do generous acts."

" Has he ? You expect him, beyond doubt, to do pre-
cisely as he said ; and if Leoline, different from all the
rest of her sex, prefers the knight to the king, he will
yield her unresistingly to you."

" I have nothing but his word for it ! " said Sir Nor-
inan, in a distracted tone, " and at present, can do nothing
but bide my time. I am afraid Leoline will think we

244

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

have deserted her altogether, and give herself up to de-
span*."

" I have been thinking of that, too ! I i)romised, you
know, when I left her, last night, that we would return
before day dawn and res(3ue her. The unhappy little
beauty will doubtless think I have fallen into the tiger's
jaws myself, and has half- wept her bright eyes out by
this time ! "

" My poor Leoline ! And oh, Hubert, if you only knew
what she is to you ! "

" I do know ! She told me she was my sister ! "

Sir Norman looked at him in amazement.

" She told you, and you take it like this ? "

" Certainly, I take it like this. How would you have
nie take it ? It is nothing to go into hysterics about,
after all ! "

" Of all the cold-blooded young reptiles I ever saw,"
exclaimed Sir Norman, with infinite disgust, " you are the
worst ! If you were told you were to receive the crown
of France to-morrow, you would probably open your eyes
a trifle, and take it as you would a new cap ! "

" Of course I would. I haven't lived in courts half my
life to get up a scene for a small matter ! Besides, I had
.an idea from the first moment I saw Leoline that she must
be my sister, or something of that sort."

"And so you felt no emotion whatever on hearing
it?"

" I don't know as I properly understand what you mean
by emotions," said Hubert, reflectively. "But ye-e-s, I
did feel somewhat pleased — she is so like me, and so
uncommonly handsome ! "

" Humph ! there's a reason ! Did she tell you how she
discovered it herself ? "

" Let me see — no — I think not — she simply mentioned
tlie fact."

" Slie did not tell you either, I suppose that you had
more sisters than herself?"

" More tlian herself ? No. That would be a little too
much of a good thing ! One sister is quite enough for
.any r(^asonable mortal."

" But til "re were two more, my good young friend I "

BAY-DAWN.

245^

" Is it possible ? " said Hubert in a tone that betrayed
not the slightest symptom of emotion. " Who are they ?

Sir Norman paused one instant, combating a strong
temptation to seize the phlegmatic page by the collar, and
gave him such another shaking as he would not get over
for a week to come ; but suddenly recollecting he was
Leoline's brother, and by the same token a marquis or
thereabouts, he merely paused to cast a withering look
upon him, and walk on.

" Well," said Hubert, " I am waiting to be told."

" You may wait, then ! " said Sir Norman, with a
smothered growl; "and I give you joy when I tell you.
Such extra communicativeness to one so stolid could do
no good ! "

" But I am not stolid ! I am in a perfect agony of anx-
iety," said Hubert, making a grimace to represent the
agony. " Tell me all about it. Sir Norman — it is as little
as you can do for your new brother."

" You young jackanapes ! " said Sir Norman, half -laugh-
ing, half-incensed. " It were a wise deed and a godly one
to take you by the hind leg and nape of the neck, and
pitch you over yonder wall ; but for your sister's sake I
will desist."

"Which of them?" inquired Hubert, with provoking
gravity.

" It would be more to the point if you asked me who
the others were, I think ! "

" So I have, and you merely abuse me for it. But, I
think I know one of them without being told. It is that
other facsimile of Leolme and myself who died in the
robber's ruin ! "

" Exactly. You and she, and Leoline, were twins ! "

" And who is the other ? "

" Her name is La Masque ! Have you ever heard it ? "

" La Masque ! Nonsense ! " exclaimed Hubert, with
some energy in his voice, at last. " You but jest, Sir
Norman Kingsley ! "

" No such thing ! It is a positive fact ! She told me
the whole story herself ! "

" And what is the whole story ; and why did she not
tell it to me instead of you ? "

246

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

" She told it to Leoline, thinking, probably, she had the
most sense ; and she told it to me, 'as Leoline's future
husband. It is somewhat long to relate, but it will help
to beguile the time while we are waiting for the royal
summons."

And hereupon, Sir Norman, without further preface,
launched into a rapid resume of La Masque's story, feel-
ing the cold chill with which he had witnessed it creep
over him as he narrated her fearful end. Hubert listened,
with his dark eyes fixed on the ground, and his face a
perfect blank wall for all the emotion or excitement it
expressed.

" It struck me," concluded Sir Norman, " that it would be
better to secure any papers she might possess at once, lest,
by accident, they should fall into other hands ; so I rode
there directly, and, in spite of the cantankerous old porter,
searched diligently, like the woman after the goat, until I
found them. Here they are," said Sir Norman, drawing
forth the roll. " A voluminous pack, you perceive ; and
every one worth a thousand times its weight in gold ! "

" And what do you intend doing with them ? " inquired
Hubert, glancing at them with an unmoved countenance.

" Show them to the king, and, through his mediation
with Louis, obtain for you the restoration of your rights."

" And do you think his majesty will give himself so
much trouble for the Earl of Rochester's page ? "

" I think he will take the trouble to see justice done
or at least he ought to. If he declines, we will take the
matter in our own hands, my Hubert ; and you and I will
seek Louis ourselves. Please God, the Earl of Rochester's
page will yet wear the coronet of the De Montmorencis ! '*

" And the sister of a marquis will be no unworth;^ mate
even for a Kingsley," said Hubert, in his careless way,
taking Sir Norman's enthusiasm with stoical indiiference.
" Has La Masque left nothing for her ? "

Do you see tliis casket ? " tapping the one of carved
brass dangling from his belt ; " well, it is full of jewels
worth a king's ransom. I found them in a drawer of La
Masque's house, with directions that they were to be given
to her sisters at her death. Miranda being dead, I pre-
sume they are all Leoline's now."

DAY-DAWN.

247

" This is a queer business altogether ! " said Hubert,
musingly ; " and I am greatly mistaken if King Louis will
not regard it as a very pretty little work of fiction, much
more suited to the ancient days of harpers and trouba^
dours, than to the seventeenth century."

" But I have proofs, lad ! The authenticity of these
papers cannot be doubted." -

" With all my heart. I have no objection to be made a
marquis of, and go back to la helle France, out of this land
of plague and fog. Won't some of my friends here be as-
tonished when they hear it, particularly the Earl of Ro-
chester, when he finds out that he has had a marquis for
a page ? Ah, here comes George, and bearing a summons
from Count L'Estrange, at last."

Hubert guessed aright. George approached, and inti-
mated that Sir Norman was to follow him to the presence
of his master.

" Au revoir, then," said Hubert. " You will find me
here when you come back."

Sir Norman, with a slight tremor of the nerves at what
was to come, followed the king's page through halls and
ante-rooms, full of loiterers, courtiers and their attendants.
Once a hand was laid on his shoulder, a laughing voice
met his ear, and the Earl of Rochester stood beside him !

" Good-morning, Sir Norman ; you are abroad betimes.
How have you left your friend, the Count L'Estrange ? "

" Yoar lordship has probably seen him since I have, and
should be able to answer that question best."

" And how does his suit progress with the pretty Leo-
line? " went on the gay earl. "I' faith, Kingsley, I never
saw such a charming little beauty ; and I shall do combat
with you yet — with both the count and yourself, and out-
wit the pair of you ! "

" Permit me to differ from your lordship. Leoline
would not touch you with a pair of tongs."

" Ah ! she has better taste than you give her credit for ;
but if I should fail, I know what to do to console my-
self."

"May I ask what?"

" Yes ! there is Hubert, as like her as- two peas in a
pod. I shall dress him up in lace and silks, and gewgaws,

248

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

and have a Leoline of my own already and made to
order."

" Permit me to doubt that, too ! Hubert is as much
lost to you as Leoline ! "

Leaving the volatile earl to put what construction
pleased him best on this last sententious remark, he re-
sumed his march after George, and was ushered, at last,
into an ante-room near the audience- chamber. Count L'Es-
trange, still attired as Count L'Estrange, stood near a
window over-looking the court- yard, and as the page
salaamed and withdrew, he turned round and greeted Sir
Norman with his sua vest air.

" The appointed hour is passed. Sir Norman Kingsley,
but that is partly your own fault. Your guide hither
tells me that you stopped for some time at the house of a
fortune-teller, known as La Masque. Why was this ? "

"I was forced to stop on most important business,*
answered the knight, still resolved to treat him as the
count, until, it should please him to doff his incognito,
" of which you shall hear anon. Just now, our business
is with Leoline."

" True ! And as in a short time I start with yonder
cavalcade, there is but little time to lose. Apropos, Kings-
ley, who is that mysterious woman. La Masque ? "

" She is, or was, (for she is dead now), a French lady, of
noble birth, and the sister of Leoline ! "

" Her sister ! And have you then discovered Leoline's
history ? "

" I have ! "

" And her name ? "

" And her name. She is Leoline De Montmorenci !
And with the proudest blood of France in her veins living
obscure and unknown — a stranger in a strange land since
childhood ; but, with God's grace and your help, I hope to
see her restored to all she has lost, before long."

"You know me, then?" said his companion, half-
smiling.

"Yes, your majesty," answered Sir Norman, bowing
low before the king.

FINIS.

249

CHAPTER XXIIL

FliS'IS.

As the last glimpse of moonlight and of Hubert's bright
face vanished, Leoliiie took to pacing up and down the
room in a most conflicting and exciting state of mind. So
many things had happened during the past night ; so
rapid and unprecedented had been the course of events ;
so changed had her whole life become within the last
twelve hours, that when she came to think it all over it
fairly made her giddy. Dressing for her bridal ; the terri-
ble announcement of Prudence ; the death-like swoon ; the
awakening at the plague-pit ; the maniac flight through the
streets ; the cold plunge in the river ; her rescue ; her inter-
view with Sir Norman, and her promise ; the visit of La
Masque ; the appearance of the count ; her abduction ; her
journey here ; the coming of Hubert, and their suddenly-
discovered relationship. It was enough to stun any one,
and the end was not yet. Would Hubert effect his es-
cape? Would they be able to free her? What place
was this, and who was Count L'Estrange ? It was a great
deal easier to propound this catechism to herself than to
find answers to her own questions ; and so she walked
up and down, worrying her pretty little head with all
sorts of anxieties, until it was a perfect miracle that soften-
ing of the brain did not ensue.

Her feet gave out sooner than her brain, though ; and
she got so tired before long, that she dropped into a seat,
with a long-drawn, anxious sigh. She listened for some
noise — some token — that might give her an idea, however
faint, what manner of place this was ; but she listened in
vain : and, worn out with fatigue and watching, she, at
last, fell unconsciously asleep.

And sleeping, she dreamed. It seemed to her that the

250

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

count and Sir Norman were before her, in her chamber in
the old house on London Bridge, tossing her heart be-
tween them like a sort of shuttlecock, while La Masque
stood grinning horribly with her skeleton-mouth, and
looking out of her skeleton-eyes. By-and-by, with tAvo
drumsticks, they began hammering away at the poor little
fluttering heart, as if it were an anvil and they were a pair
of blacksmiths, while the loud knocks upon it resounded
through the room. Gradually, the knocking grew so loud
that Leoline awoke in affright — awoke to find it not all a
dream. For, though the palpitating heart was throbbing
away in short pulses, safe and sound, under her pink-satin
corsage, the knocking still continued, echoing strangely
through the silent room. For a time she was so bewil-
dered that she could not comprehend what it meant ; but,
at last, she became conscious that some one was rapping
at the door. Pressing one hand over her startled heart,
she called : " Come in ! " and the door opened and George
entered.

" Count L'Estrange commands me to inform you, fair
lady, that he will do himself the pleasure of visiting you
immediately, with Sir Norman Kingsley, if you are pre-
pared to receive them."

Leoline opened her bright black eyes so wide at this
announcement, that George repeated his message more
emphatically than before.

" With Sir Norman I^ingsley ! " repeated Leoline,
faintly. " I — I am afraid I do not quite understand."

" Then you Avill not be much longer in that deplorable
state," said George, backing out, " for here they are."

He vanished as he spoke, and instantaneously Leoline
saw in his place the bland face of Count L'Estrange, and
right behind tliat of Sir Norman Kingsley. In a violent
tremor and agitation she arose, and with pale face, parted
lips and dilated eyes waited for what was to come.

" Pardon this intrusion, fairest Leoline," began the count,
" but Sir Norman and I are about to start on a journey,
and before we go there is a little difference of opinion be-
tween us that you are to settle."

L(H)liiie looked first at one and then at the other, utterly
bewildered. The count's impassive face said nothing, but

FIOTS.

251

in Sir Norman's smiling eyes there was a world of en-
couragement.

" What is it ? " she asked.

"A simple matter enough. Last evening, if you rec-
ollect, you were my promised bride."

" It was against my vnll" said Leoline, boldly, though
her voice shook. " You and Prudence made me."

" Xay, Leoline, you wrong me. I, at least, used no
compulsion."

" You know better ! You haunted me continually ;
you give me no peace at all; and I would just have
married you to get rid of you."

" And you never loved me ? "

" I never did."

"A frank confession! Did you, then, love any one
else ? "

The dark eyes fell, and the roseate glow again tinged
the pearly face.

" Mute ! " said the count, with an almost imperceptible
smile. " Look up, Leoline, and speak."

But Leoline would do neither. With all her momen-
tary daring gone, she stood shy and startled as a \nld
gazelle.

« Shall I answer for her. Sir Count ? " exclaimed Sir
Norman, his own cheek flushed. " Leoline ! Leoline !
you love me ! "

Leoline was silent ; but there was a quick up-lifting
of the sweeping eyelashes that spoke encyclopedias.

" You are to decide between us, Leolme. Though the
count forcibly brought you here, he has been generous
enough to grant this. Say, then, which of us vou love
best."

" I do not love liim at all," said Leolme, with a little
disdain, " and he knows it."

" Then it is I ! " said Sir Norman, his whole face beam-
ing with delight.

" It is you ! "

Glancing askance at the count under her drooping eye-
lids, Leoline held out both hands to the loved one and
nestled close to his side, as a child would to its pro-
t6ctor.

252

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

" Fairly rejected ! " said the count, with a passing shade
of mortitication on his brow ; " and, my word being
pledged, I must submit. But, beautiful Leoline, you have
yet to learn whom you have discarded."

Clinging to her lover's arm, the girl grew white with
undefined apprehension. Leisurely the count removed
false wig, false eyebrows, false beard ; and a face well-
known to Leoline, from pictures and descriptions, turned
full upon her.

" Sire ! " she cried, in terror, falling on her knees with
clasped hands.

" Nay ; rise, fair Leoline," said the king, holding out
his hand to assist her. " It is my place to kneel to one so
lovely, instead of having her kneel to me. Think again.
Will you reject the king as you did the count ? "

" Pardon, your majesty ! " said Leoline, scarcely daring
to look up ; " but I must ! "

" So it be ! You are a perfect miracle of truth and con-
stancy, and 1 think I ran afford to be generous for once.
In fifteen minutes we start for Oxford, and you must ac-
company us as Lady Kingsley. In anticipation of some
such result as this, I have left behind me orders. A
tiring woman will wait upon you to robe you for your
bridal. We will leave you now, and let me enjoin ex-
pedition."

And while she still stood too much astonished by the
sridden proposal to answer, both were gone, and in their
place stood a smiling lady's lady, Avith a cloud of gossamer
white in her arms.

" Are those for me ? " inquired Leoline, looking at them
and trying to comprehend that it was all real.

" They are for you — sent by Mistress Stuart herself.
Pl(;aso sit down, and all will be ready in a trice."

And in a tri(*(^ all was ready, 'I'he shining, jetty curls
wci-c snioot !)('(!, and fell in a glossy shower, trained with
jewels (Ik; pearls Leoline herseH' still wore, Tlie rose
satin was disearded for a not hei- of bridal white, ju^rfeet of
iit, and splendid of t.extnre. A _i;reat. gossamer vail I'ell
lik(i a clond of silv<'r inist^ overall, from bead to loot,; and
Leoline; wjis sliovvn lierself in a. mirror, and in (lu; sudden
transfoi'nial ion, eonid have exc^laimed, witli tiu^ ind'or-

FINIS.

253

tunate lady in Mother Goose, shorn of her tresses when
hi balmy slumber : " As sure as I'm a little woman, this
is none of it ! " But she it Avas, nevertheless, who stood
listening like one in a trance, to the enthusiastic praises
of her waiting-maid.

Again there was a tap at the door. This time the at-
tendant opened it, and George reappeared. Even he stood
for a moment looking at the silver- shining vision, and so
lost in admiration that he almost forgot his message. But
when Leoline turned the light of her beautiful eyes in-
quiringly upon him, he managed to remember it, and an-
nounced that he had been sent by the king to usher her
to the royal presence. With a fast- throbbing heait,
flushed cheeks, and brilliant eyes, the dazzling bride
followed him, unconscious that she had never looked so
incomparable before in her life. It was but a few hours
since she had dressed for another bridal; and what
wonderful things had occurred since then — her whole
destiny had changed in a night, l^ot quite sure yet but
that she was still dreaming, she followed on — saw George
throw open the great doors of the audience-chamber, and
found herself suddenly in what seemed to her a vast con-
course of people. At the upper end of the apartment was
a, brilliant group of ladies, with the king's beautiful
favorite in their midst ; and here and there, along its
length, were many others, gossiping with knots of gentle-
men. The king himself stood in the recess of a window,
with his brother, the Duke of York, the Earl of Rochester,
and Sir IsTorman Kingsley, and was laughing and relating
animatedly to the two jjeers the whole story. Leoline
noticed this, and noticed, too, that all wore traveling-
dress — most of the ladies, indeed, being attired in riding-
liabits ; and then, as a profound silence fell, and all eyes
turned scrutinizingly upon her as she entered, she stopped
in embarrassment, glowing like the heart of a June
rose.

The king himself advanced to her rescue. Drawing
her arm within his, he led her up and presented her to
the fair Stuart, who received her with smiling gracious-
ness ; though Leoline, all unused to court ways, and
aware of the lovely lady's questionable position, returned

254

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEK

it almost with cold hauteur. Charles being in an un-
usually gracious mooct, only smiled as he noticed it, and
introduced her next to his brother of York, and her former
short acquaintance, Rochester.

" There's no need, I presume, to make you acquainted
with this other gentleman," said Charles, with a laughing
glance at Sir Norman. "Kingsley, stand forward and
receive your bride. My Lord of Canterbury, we await
your good offices."

The bland bishop, in surplice and state, and book in
hand, stepped from a distant group, and advanced. Sir
Norman, with a flush on his cheek, and an exultant light
in his eyes, took the hand of his beautiful bride, who
stood lovely, and blushing, and downcast, the envy and
admiration of all. And

*' Before the bishop now they stand,
The bridegi'oom and the bride ;
And wlio shall paint what lovers feel
In this, their hour of pride ? "

Who, indeed? Like many other pleasant things in
this world, it requires to be felt to be appreciated ; and,
for that reason, it is a subject on which the unworthy
chronicler is altogether incompetent to speak. The first
words of the ceremony dropped from the prelate's urbane
lips, and Sir Norman's heart danced a tarantella within
him. "Wilt thou?" inquired the bishop, blandly, and
shipped a plain gold ring on one pretty finger of Leoline's
hand ; and all heard the old, old formula : What God
hath put together, let no man put asunder ! " And the
whole mystic rite was over. Leoline gave one earnest
glance at the ring on her finger. Long ago, slaves wore
rings as the sigii of their bondage — is it for the same
reason married women Avear them now? While she yet
looked half-doul)tfully at it she was surrounded, con-
gratulated, and stunned with a sudden clamor of voices ;
and then, through it all, she heard the Avcll-remembere(l
voice of Count Ji'Estrange, saying:

" My lords and ladies, time is on the Aving, and the sun
is already half an hour high ! Off with you all to tho
court- yard, and mount, while Lady Kingsley changes her

FINIS.

255

wedding-gear for robes more befitting travel, and joins
us there."

With a low obeisance to the king, the lovely bride
hastened away after one of the favorite's attendants, to
do as he directed, and don a riding-suit. In ten minutes
after, when the royal cavalcade started, she turned from
the pest-stricken city, too — and fairest, where all was
fair, by Sir Norman's side rode Leoline.

Sitting one winter night by a glorious winter fire, while
the snow and hail lashed the windows, and the wind
roared like Bottom, the weaver, without, a pleasant
voice whispered the foregoing tale. Here, as it jmised
abruptly, and seemed to have done with the whole thing,
I naturally began to ask questions. What happened the
dwarf and his companions ? What became of Hubert ?
Did Sir Norman and Lady Kingsley • go to Devonshire,
and did either of them die of the plague ? I felt myself,
when I said it, that the last suggestion was beneath con-
tempt, and so a withering look from the face opposite
proved ; but the voice was obliging enough to answer the
rest of my queries. The dwarf and his cronies being put
into his majesty's jail of Newgate, where the plague was
raging fearfully, they all died in a v/eek, and so managed
to cheat the executioner. Hubert went to France, and
laid his claims before the royal Louis, who, not being
able to do otherwise, was graciously pleased to ac-
knowledge them; and Hubert became the Marquis de
Montmorenci, and in the fullness of time took unto him-
self a wife, even of the daughters of the land, and lived
happy for ever after.

And Sir Norman and Lady Kingsley did go to the old
manor in Devonshire, where — saith tradition and my in-
formant— there is to be seen to this day, an old family
picture, painted some twelve years after, representing the
knight and his lady, sitting serenely in their " ain ingle
nook " with their family around them. Sir Norman, a
little portlier, a little graver, in the serious dignity of
pater familias ; and Leoline, with the dark beautiful eyes,
the falling, shining hair, the sweet-smiling lips, and lovely,

256

THE MIDNIGHT QUEEN.

placid face of old. Between them, on three creepies, sit
three little boys ; while the fourth, and youngest, a minia-
ture little Sir Norman, leans against his mother's shoulder,
and looks thoughtfully up in her sweet, calm face. Of
the fate of those four, the same ancient lore affirms ;

That the eldest afterward bore the title of Earl of Kings-
ley ; that the aecond became a lord high admiral, or chan-
cellor, or something equally hifalutin ; and that the third
became an archbishop. But the highest honor of all was
reserved for the fourth, and youngest," continued the nar-
rating voice, " who, after many days, sailed for America,
and, in the course of time, became President of the United
States."

Determined to be fully satisfied on this point, at least,
the author invested all her spare change in a catalogue
of all the said Presidents, from George Washington to
Abraham Lincoln, and, after a diligent and absorbing per-
usal of that piece of literature, could find no such name
as Kingsley whatever ; and has been forced to come to
the conclusion that he must have applied to congress to
change his name on arriving in the New "World, or else
that her informant was laboring under a falsehood when
she told her so. As for the rest,

" I know not how the truth may be,
I say it as 'twas said to me."

THE END.

/